CAC Programs

Community Action Center (CAC) provides emergency assistance during times of unforeseen personal crisis, such as a job loss, illness, unpaid medical leave, medical expenses or family changes such as those involving death, divorce or separation or other personal tragedies.

CAC provides financial and in-kind assistance such as food and clothing to help families in need make ends meet. The Center also offers adult education, youth programs and holiday programs to enrich the lives of local families facing difficult times.

Financial Assistance
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The Community Action Center provides temporary assistance to families and individuals facing an unexpected financial crisis.

Many are at risk of becoming homeless because they lost a job or have serious medical situations. 

CAC can help with portions of rent, mortgage, utility bills, medical bils or other situations due to a crisis such as illness, job lay off, divorce, etc.   In addition, clients may receive help with prescription medication or prescription glasses. Such assistance is available in emergency situations only.

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The CAC Thrift Boutique
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The CAC Thrift Boutique is one of Atlanta's best kept secrets for fabulous finds. Offering a wide selection of new, gently worn, and designer labels to meet your entire families clothing needs. New items received daily, so visit us often and take advantage of our fantastic values!

The Thrift Boutique is open to the public as well as to CAC clients who "purchase" clothes with vouchers.

Donations:

The Thrift Boutique takes donations of gently worn clothes, shoes, accessories, linens and small home goods. Donations may be dropped off during regular CAC hours.

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Food Pantry
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The CAC Food Pantry provides food to an average of 43 individuals and families a day. Overall, the food pantry receives 860 visits per month.

We distribute non-perishable canned and packaged goods as well as perishable foods such meat and produce. Through the "Second Helpings" program CAC distributes prepared food donated by area restaurants.

CAC provides families and individuals in need with non-perishable canned and packaged goods 6 times a year and "Second Helpings" once a week.

We also maintain a special section within the food pantry for items that can be easily used by those who do not have access to cooking facilities.

Food and goods are donated to the CAC or purchased from the Atlanta Food Bank. Our sponsoring congregations conduct one or more food drives for us each year. We also count on area schools, youth groups, and local businesses to conduct food drives throughout the year.

Food needs are greatest during the summer when children are out of school and not receiving school subsidized lunches or breakfasts.

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Holiday Programs:
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During the holidays CAC provides extra food and holiday gifts to families and individuals who have received financial assistance from CAC during the year.

These families are experiencing crisis situations. Many are at risk of becoming homeless because they lost a job or have serious medical situations.

Grocery store gift cards, holiday food baskets and Adopt-a-Family programs help our families not only make ends meet during the holiday season but lift their spirits knowing there are people who care to help.

The 2011 Holiday Giving Program

2010 Holiday Program Photo Galleries:

Sonenshine Family Holiday Food Basket Drive

2010 Adopt-a-Family Holiday Party photo gallery

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Youth Enrichment Programs :
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Many people are surprised to learn that there are children living near the poverty level right here in the wealthy communities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. CAC makes a difference in the lives of these local children with programs that provide summer camp opportunities, summer lunches and costly school supplies.

Summer Camp Scholarships   April 1 – Aug 1
CAC makes the dream of attending summer camp come true for many children. Our camp placement program matches the interests of youngsters to day or overnight camps for a life-enriching summer experience. We partner with camps to place children, ages 3 to 18, at minimal cost to the family. The youngsters are referred by their school counselors, teachers or social workers. CAC may also arrange for required physicals, camp clothing and supplies, as well as transportation to camp. For more information contact Sarah at (770)552-4889 ext 235 or yep@ourcac.org.

Send a Kid to Camp with your donation of:

• $250 for 1 week of overnight camp
• $50 for 1 week of day camp
• $25 for transportation

Donate online or send your check to:
Community Action Center, PO Box 501298, Atlanta, GA 31150

Summer Lunch Box  May 1 - Aug 31
Families struggling to make ends meet rely on free or reduced school lunches to help feed their children during the school year. The Summer Lunch Box food drive helps these families off-set summer grocery costs by providing children with lunch for a week. Volunteer groups are asked to hold food drives to collect the food and then assemble it into bags containing 5 lunches each.
-- View the Lunch Box food list --

School Supply Drive   June 1 - Aug 31
This annual event helps local children be prepared for the start of school with a backpack full of required school supplies. Supplies are donated to CAC by individuals and groups who hold drives to collect the supplies.
-- View the list of requested School Supplies --

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Adult Education:
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CAC offers adult education classes to provide job skills and improve life skills. Courses are offered at no cost to the clients except for the cost of textbook and material.  Classes may be open to the public space permitting.  Classes are held at the center with on-site babysitting provided for most. We offer courses such as:

• English for Successful Living  (ESL)
• Personal Finance
• Introduction to  Computer Skills
• Preparation for Citizenship
   
  
  

View a complete list of current Adult Education courses at CAC. 

For more information contact Elna Sheetz, CAC Education Coordinator, 770-552-4889 or email education@ourcac.org.