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June eNews from Allen Community Outreach!
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Greetings!
Oh, the lazy days of summer! Life slows down a little bit, schedules are more relaxed, and hopefully you are able to spend some time to soak it all in. But here at ACO, things are really heating up! We are busy preparing for many upcoming events and special programs that provide support to families in Allen, Fairview and Lucas. We hope you have a few minutes to sit back and read about all that's going on. All that we do is possible because of people like you! We appreciate your continued support and giving the "Community" part of our name true meaning.
~The Board of Directors and Staff at Allen Community Outreach
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Christmas in July Kick Off
It's hot outside, but Christmas happens year-round at Allen Community Outreach!
You read it right, Christmas is kicking off at ACO... Christmas in July that is! This year's theme is "Give Where You Live!" Your tax-deductible donation to ACO stays here in Allen, Fairview and Lucas and makes a direct impact to our own friends and neighbors. For 16 years, the Christmas in July Campaign (CIJ) has been a way to raise critical financial resources to make a direct positive impact to those families seeking assistance for basic human service needs. Due to funding cuts from United Way, the campaign this year is even more important. You can read the full statement from Glenda May, Executive Director, regarding funding cuts. What does Christmas in July mean?  - It means that a single mother has a place to get food for her children when her paycheck isn't enough this month to cover both the increased utility payment and the bigger food bill because her children are home for the summer.
- It means that a couple who have faced a medical crisis don't have to choose between paying their rent or keeping the lights on.
- It means that the man who didn't expect to still be unemployed after so many months can get assistance with his mortgage payment to assist him in regaining financial stability for his family.
You will soon receive a card in the mail about Christmas in July and more about what it means. Inside is a reply card for your convenience to send back a your donation. You may also donate online and make a secure payment through the ACO website.
To kick off the month-long campaign, there will be a special VIP "Hottest Christmas Party of the Year" on Monday, June 27 at the ACO Resale Shop. Check your mailing for your VIP Ticket. A special thank you to Jorge Contreras of Pure Vibe Entertainment for providing music for the kick-off party. NEW THIS YEAR - Eat Out In July and Support ACO!
Thank you to the following community-minded restaurants that have agreed to give a portion of their sales in the month of July back to ACO. It's easy - just visit the following restaurants on their particular "give back" day, let them know you are supporting ACO too, and they will apply a portion of your receipt back to ACO in the form of a donation! Mondays - July 4, 11, 18 & 25
Mooyah Burgers (Village at Allen) AND Bonnie Ruth's (Watters Crossing)
Mooyah - 15% between 4pm-close AND Bonnie Ruth's 15%
Tuesdays - July 5, 12, 19 & 26
Two Rows Classic Grill (Bethany/Hwy. 75)
10% of ACO Guest Receipts
Wednesdays - July 6, 13, 20 & 27
Freebirds World Burrito (Village at Allen)
Visit the ACO Table in the store from 11am-3pm to make a donation.
Thursdays - July 7, 14, 21 & 28
Chick-Fil-A (both locations - on McDermott and on Stacy Rd.)
10%-20% of ACO Guest Receipts
Fridays - July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Elke's Market Cafe (Greenville/McDermott)
10% of sales from 11am-2pm in the Cafe
Don't want to eat out, and would rather make your own meal?
Through the entire month of July
Market Street of Allen (Watters Crossing)
Make a donation to ACO's Christmas in July Campaign at the register!
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An evening you'd enjoy...  The Village at Fairview is hosting its second-annual summer concert series, Concerts for a Cause, June 10 through Aug. 19, benefiting local nonprofit organizations. The free concerts are held Friday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the shopping center's Grand Commons Stage (located between Gloria's and The Purple Cow). This Friday, June 17, the concert, featuring Cuvee, will benefit Allen Community Outreach. ACO will be presented with a $500 check from The Village at Fairview, plus concert guests are asked to bring cans of SpaghettiOs or Ravioli for an in-kind donation drive benefiting ACO. For the complete Concerts for a Cause schedule, visit www.thevillageatfairview.com.
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Student's Summer Nutritional Aid Program (SSNAP)
The ACO Food Pantry has a special program called SSNAP which provides breakfast and lunch foods to kids at home during the summer months. These are students who would be receiving free and reduced cost breakfast and lunch if they were in school. There is a special list of foods needed to help parents with providing food for these children during the summer. These food items, along with books from the ACO Resale Shop, will be given out every two weeks while school is out for summer break.
Last summer, ACO gave out 167 bags of food. This summer, we estimate 350 bags of food will be distributed to children. But we can't give what we don't have, so please support us with a donation of SSNAP food from the list of following items:
Breakfast Items Needed:
Breakfast Cereal  Toaster items/Pop Tarts
Instant Oatmeal
Apples and Oranges
Sliced Bread
Yogurt or Gogurt (Yogurt in tubes)
Lunch Items Needed:
Hot dogs
Pop Top Spaghetti
Pop Top Beans and Wienies
Pop Top Soups
Ramen Noodles
Fruit cups
Mac & Cheese
Cheese Sticks
Frozen Pizza/Bagel Bites
Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter Crackers
Snack Crackers with Cheese
Pudding
Raisins |
Save the Date....
Friday, September 16 - 6th Annual Charity Golf Classic
Saturday, October 22 - 2nd Annual Fall Fest 1-Mile, 5K, & 10K
Saturday, October 29 - Ten Pins to Transform Bowling Tournament
Sponsorships are available for all the above special events, and all funds raised support the programs of Allen Community Outreach. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Stacy Cooper at 972-727-9131 or Stacy@acocares.org. |
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Food Pantry Report
Thank you for all of you that donated food in the month of May to the ACO Food Pantry. With your donations, we were able to provide 19,891 pounds of food to 176 families during May. That translates to 583 individuals, of which 270 were children, that didn't go hungry.
Imagine for a minute what it must be like to be hungry for a day, two days, a week. You need assistance in feeding your family. While it can be difficult to ask for help, you are grateful that ACO is there to provide that assistance. But now imagine the disappointment when you show up to stock your pantry, but many of the shelves are low on supplies. ACO has traditionally seen a drop off in food donations during the summer months, and this year is no different.
Are you part of a group that wants to make a difference? Think about holding a food drive to help us stock the shelves! The shelves are running low on the following items:
Rice Canned Chicken
Dried Pasta Vegetable Oil
Spaghetti Sauce Crackers
Spaghetti O's Ramen Noodles
Helper Boxed Meals (Hamburger, Tuna, Chicken) Recycled Grocery Plastic Bags
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Allen Community Outreach
801 E. Main St.
Allen, TX 75002
www.acocares.org
972-727-9131 - Phone
972-727-1995 Fax
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
*Closed daily for lunch from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Resale Shop Hours
Monday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Donations accepted Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Treasure Chest - Bargains on Boyd Dr.
Open 1st and 3rd Friday and Saturday each month
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
301 W. Boyd Dr. at Allen Dr. across from post office
ACO Food Pantry Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Every other Saturday of each month
Donations accepted Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
*The Food Pantry has a receiving dock located at the back of the building for ease in delivery. |
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