How you can Help... Donate ....................................................................................

Money:
..........................................................

The CAC needs financial sponsorship at all levels.

Our Annual Fund provides for the ongoing programming and staff needs of our daily operations. The Capital Campaign, now in Phase II, needs corporate and individual donors to help insure the continuity and financial stability of CAC in the future.

Support to CAC can be given through a personal check, corporate check, or through the donation of securities. In addition, CAC can be part of a planned giving program included in your will. Pledges to the Capital Campaign are accepted in multi-year form, if desired, for larger donations, Naming opportunities are available.

For more information, please contact the Development Director at development@ourcac.org.

If you would like to make a donation online to CAC's Annual Fund or Capital Campaign, please click here.

Food
..........................................................

Thanksgiving food drives provided Thanksgiving food baskets for over 377 families this year.

But providing food to over 350 families a month is an ever-daunting task. Food donations are continually needed throughout the year. Currently, families can receive groceries from CAC only six times a year and many months it is a struggle for CAC to completely fill each bag. Your food drives are critical to our shelves being stocked with groceries. We thank you for your continued efforts in this regard.

Some very nutritional items are always in short supply:

Canned meats or stews with meat in them
Juices
Unsweetened cereals
Canned fruits
Peanut butter

And some very expensive, though necessary items are also frequently requested:

Laundry detergent
Diapers
Toilet paper

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

Flip top cans
Canned cooked meat
Bottled water & healthy beverages
Instant Meals

Ideas for Special Projects:

Put together hygiene packets for the non-residents (toothbrush, paste, soap, etc.),
Help sort & organize large food donations
Collect hotel size shampoos and soaps and prepare "kits" with these handy sizes.
Activities can be tailored for your group throughout the year.

To make a food donation contact Pat Hartigan at fooddonations@ourcac.org or call our office at 770-552-4889.

Clothing
..........................................................

Winter clothing will continue to be received until February 1 with the exception of winter coats and jackets which continue to be in short supply. Then start weeding too small, too tight, and "just tired of it" items out of your spring closet (and jewelry boxes) and donate them to CAC. Additionally household items such as kitchenware, lamps, artwork, and decorative accessories are often in demand.

Think red!!!! Red dresses, suits, sweaters, and children's wear will be appreciated by our clients as Valentine's Day approaches. Find those gently worn red items in your closet now and donate them to the Thrift Boutique.

Donated items can be delivered behind the building (at the garage door) from 10:00–2:00, Monday–Friday. A receipt is available for tax purposes.

Unfortunately, space limitations require that we only accept clothing that is in season, since we have limited space for storing clothing from one season to the next.

To make a clothing donation contact Mitzi O'Connel at thriftshop@ourcac.org or call our office at 770-552-4889.

Other Items
..........................................................

Donated items can be delivered behind the building (at the garage door) from 10:00–2:00, Monday–Friday. A receipt is available for tax purposes.

Items should be clean and in good working order.

Unfortunately, space limitations prevent us from accepting large furniture.

Time & Talent
..........................................................

Consider joining the over 150 CAC volunteers this year who are helping to make life a little easier for those in need. Opportunities are numerous and varied. Day and evening hours can be accommodated. Drivers, food pantry and thrift shop volunteers, as well as client counselors work regular daytime hours. Those involved in fundraising, computer projects, newsletter production, or serving as CAC historian may determine their own schedule or work from home. Visit us at 1130 Hightower Trail, see us in action, and then become a part of CAC, helping our neighbors through difficult times. With your heart, our hands, we can accomplish much.

Telephone Intake Desk: Volunteers are needed to answer phones, complete emergency request assessment, make appointments. Minimum 4 hours per month. Contact Susan Franz at volunteers@ourcac.org

Client Intake: Volunteers are needed to interview clients, assess need, collect appropriate documentation and make recommendations to the Director. Minimum 4 hours per month from 10:00 am to 2 pm. Contact Susan Franz at volunteers@ourcac.org

Thrift Shop: Volunteers are needed to sort donations, price items, and staff the shop. The Thrift Shop is presently open two days a week - Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 4 pm and the first and third Saturday 10: am to 2 pm. As soon as more volunteers can be trained, the shop will be open more often, including one evening. To volunteer for the Thrift Shop contact Mitzi O'Connel at thriftshop@ourcac.org.

Food Pantry: Volunteers are needed to organize food drives, stock shelves, pack food bags for clients and re-package oversized dry goods. This is a good opportunity for school groups, scout groups, Sunday classes, etc. To volunteer to work in the food pantry contact Susan Franz at volunteers@ourcac.org. For help in organizing a food drive contact Pat Hartigan at fooddonations@ourcac.org.

Office Help: Volunteers are needed for data entry, filing, correspondence and mailings. Contact Tamara Carrera at director@ourcac.org

Pick Up: Volunteers are needed to pick up donations from local bakeries, pizza restaurants or the Food Bank. People with access to a pick-up truck are especially needed for large food collections on occasional basis. Contact: director@ourcac.org

Bilingual Help: Bilingual volunteers are especially needed, particularly in Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. Contact director@ourcac.org

Holiday Programs: At Thanksgiving, CAC needs many volunteers to collect, sort, and pack holiday meals. This is another excellent opportunity for youth groups, scouts, high school and church groups. During the holiday season we organize a Holiday Shop for our clients to shop for new toys and clothes for their children. Many volunteers are needed to:

Assist with client registration, filing and entering data
Collect and sort new toys and clothes
Setting up of shop
Assist clients with shopping
Gift wrapping

This is an excellent opportunity for those needing service hours. It is also a great way to get into the Holiday Spirit! Contact: Pat Hartigan at fooddonations@ourcac.org.

Capital Campaign
..........................................................

The Capital Campaign at the Community Action Center began in 2004, with the acquisition of the property at 1130 Hightower Trail. The Capital Fund, supported by Phase II of the Capital Campaign, insures the continuity and financial stability of CAC in the future. Individual and corporate donors can meet the needs of either or both of these funds.

The Capital Campaign at CAC consists of gifts from individuals, corporations, congregations and institutions. Large pledges to the Capital Fund can be accepted in multi-year format.

We welcome any challenge grants or matching opportunities from our supporters. Naming opportunities are available for substantial donations. If you are interested in making a gift to the CAC Capital Campaign, please contact De Cutshaw, Capital Campaign Chair at the Community Action Center for further information by email: capitalcampaign@ourcac.org.

Special Events
..........................................................

Become involved in the Community Action Center's major fundraiser, The Vintage Affair, by becoming a financial sponsor, food or beverage sponsor, or in-kind sponsor.

The Vintage Affair is the largest fundraiser for the Community Action Center. From the 1 st Annual Vintage Affair, held at Glenridge Hall in 2003, to the 4 th annual Vintage Affair, the event has grown in prestige and name recognition as one of the most enjoyable charity events in town. In 2006, the event raised over $65,000 with exciting live and silent auction items such as accommodations in Cabo San Lucas, dinner for 12 at Glenridge Hall prepared on-site by the Executive Chef of Canoe Restaurant, as well as a condo stay for two weeks in Quito, Ecuador. Find out more...