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Challenge Grant Achieves Goal!  

As of January 31, the annual Challenge Grant Campaign had exceeded its ambitious goal of raising $156,000. Thank you ACCA supporters! You contributed three dollars for every dollar pledged by the Washington Forrest Foundation and other donors. 

The Campaign deadline has been extended to February 28 to receive additional pledges. If you have not yet given and want to be included among our Campaign heroes, send a check payable to ACCA Challenge Grant to 7299 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003, or give online through the Catalogue for Philanthropy.    

Day Laborers Receive Warm Coats  

The Food Pantry has seen an increase in the number of families needing assistance. In January, volunteers made 123 deliveries, assisting 421 individuals. Many thanks to our volunteers who stocked the pantry shelves and made these deliveries!

The panty currently needs the following items: 

Rice, beans, jelly, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned meats, spaghetti sauce, cake mixes, cookies, Jell-O, pudding mixes, crackers, bars of soap, toiletries, and toilet paper. 

Family Emergency Assistance  

In January, ACCA served 41 households, providing more than $24,000 in assistance for rent, utilities, and medical costs. More than 85 percent of the funds were used to pay rental costs to prevent evictions. In one case, ACCA helped a family of four in which both wage earners had their hours cut in December and they were unable to meet their January rent expense. In another case, a single mother had lost her job providing private home care and was served with a court notice for eviction. ACCA helped pay the rent due while she seeks other employment and a roommate to share monthly expenses. On behalf of all who were helped, thank you for supporting ACCA. 

It may be snowy and cold outside, but this budding artist is warm and cozy at the Child Development Center. Click the photo to see more.

In another exciting development, LT Services, Inc. and Government Services Corp. have donated $16,000 to be used in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative that would enhance the curriculum and improve school readiness for our preschool students.

Each year on the last Saturday in April (April 26th this year) ACCA participates in the national Rebuilding Together program. Volunteers assist local homeowners with basic home repairs and sprucing up. There are jobs for all ages and abilities, including providing food service, fund raising, and skilled and unskilled labor. For more information on this year's program, please contact Marie Monsen, (703) 354-9408 or mamonsen@verizon.net. 

If you know of a homeowner who might benefit from our help, please contact Patti Kline pattiK@rebuildingtogether-aff.org with the homeowner's contact information. 

Please spread the word about these offers for free assistance with income tax preparation available at two locations:

Deloitte LLP is providing free tax preparation for low-to-middle-income individuals and families from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Saturday, February 22, at Fairfax SkillSource Center, 7611 Little River Turnpike (West Wing), Suite 300W, Annandale, VA 22003. Service is on a first come, first serve basis and childcare is provided on-site. An ASL Interpreter will also be on site to assist with tax preparation. Pre-registration is available but not required. For details, see the attached flyer in English or Spanish.

AARP volunteers are providing free tax preparation assistance at George Mason Government Center through April 17. Volunteers are available Mondays and Thursdays, 1 - 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The government center is at 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. See details here.