March 2014                                             Helping Neighbors in Need in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody Since 1987.
Helping Families Help Themselves  
Be Kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.  
That's what the volunteers at CAC strive to do, because we don't know someone's story when they walk in the door. They come to CAC for help because they have nowhere else to turn. CAC volunteers offer compassion, hope and help toward self-reliance. Donnaire is a single mother who had already been through a rough time in her life, and now she faced yet another setback. She was relieved to find assistance and kindness CAC. "They opened their doors to me and I thought, wow, these people are wonderful," said Donnaire whose daughters are now ages 13 and 4. They moved here from out of state several years ago. She was making ends meet, but then she lost her job, and as a result, as she puts it "lost everything." They became homeless. With no family in the area, she found their way into a local faith-based transitional housing program. She was enrolled in a workforce development program and then landed an administrative job. Several months later she rented a townhouse but soon  thereafter faced an $800 heating bill she could not pay. The bill was a result of extremely cold temperatures and a drafty door. She remembered a volunteer at the housing program once told her about CAC. This person was also a CAC volunteer. CAC paid a large portion of her utility bill, and referred her to other sources of assistance. CAC also provided her with additional assistance she didn't know was available, which continues to help her family, such as food and clothes. "I'm so grateful, it took such a big burden off of me knowing I didn't have to choose between buying gas or food," said Donnaire. CAC even did her tax returns for free. A little bit of help from CAC allowed Donnaire and her girls remain in their new home and remain on their path to self-sufficiency.
Join us for a Fun Girls' Night Out Tomorrow!  

Don't miss CAC's 4th Annual Fashion Show & Sale, this Friday, March 21 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Enjoy the Fashion Show, hors d'oeuvres, wine and shop first! Admission is $10 per person. Featuring fashionable and designer clothing, dresses, shoes, accessories and children's clothes. Sale continues March 22-March 24 from 9am-2pm with free admission. In the Marshalls/Hudson Grille Shopping Center 6331 Roswell Rd, Sandy Spring, GA 30328. All sale proceeds benefit CAC.
CAC Poverty Summit Draws Interest 

Rev. Chris Starr of Church of the Atonement presented ideas from his discussion group.
Last month CAC convened Sandy Springs clergy, non-profit leaders and  elected officials to a Poverty Summit to examine the dynamics driving the increase of poverty in suburban communities; explore the reasons why Sandy Springs leads the nation in this trend; identify the challenges it represents; recognize the programs and resources currently deployed to serve these needs; estimate the gap between needs and existing services; and embark on the process of brainstorming around potential solutions.  About 40,000 of the 150,000 residents of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody live in households with incomes under 200 percent of the poverty level ($23,000 pre-tax per year for a single person and $48,000 for a family of four.) The need is growing in this community while at the same time this is one of the wealthiest communities in the country and is home to the successful Perimeter business corridor.  Leaders began productive discussions on the challenges local residents in poverty face with housing, hunger, employment and education. These ongoing discussions  will help guide future planning for CAC.
 Businesses Provide Support

CAC is supported by businesses, schools, congregations and civic groups throughout the year. Their support helps sustain CAC programs in many ways, with financial support, food for the pantry, school supplies and clothing. They also provide manpower for projects and programs. Recently Cresa Atlanta made their annual trip to CAC and brought with them $1,000 worth of food for the pantry which their group stocked on the shelves. They also help prepare the Thrift Boutique with spring merchandise for the store's season re-opening. Thank you Cresa Atlanta for your continued support! To find out how your businesses can get involved contact Pam Jones at Pam.Jones@ourcac.org.
 Students Give Community Service

Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School high school students recently wrapped up a week of community service with a day at CAC. A dozen students worked throughout the center, helping with the Thrift Boutique, fashion show and office duties. Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School sends groups to CAC from all grades to volunteer and learn about how CAC helps neighbors in need. CAC welcomes on a regular basis public and private school groups from all over. For more information on bringing a group to CAC please contact Debbie at volunteer@ourcac.org.
Support CAC just by Shopping at Kroger!

KrogerSupporting CAC has never been easier! Just shop at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card and earn rewards for CAC right away on qualifying purchases! Kroger is donating $750,000 to non-profit community groups and have included CAC! To enroll visit KrogerCommunityRewards.com, sign in or create an account, and select CAC as your organization to support!
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Featured Supporter

Thank You Whole Food Sandy Springs for your continuous support of CAC including your support of the upcoming CAC Fashion Show and
Food `n Fun Festival!    
  Urgent Food Pantry Needs

canned vegetables 
canned tuna 
canned pastafood
cereal 
tomato sauce 
soup 
baked beans  
peanut butter  
jelly  
condiments  
      Find more info on donating food. 
  Curves Holds Food Drive

Curves fitness centers of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody are holding their annual food drive through March 23 as part of Curves national food drive and donating the proceeds to CAC. Members and non-members are welcome to donate. Join Curves of Sandy Springs and  get the service fee waived with a food donation! 
      
Thank You Recent 
Donors & Volunteers! 

A Hand Up Atlanta
St. Jude the Apostle
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School
Dr. Jeff Rodgers, DMD
Cresa Atlanta
Friends in Faith
Talk of Town
Operation Smiles
Ames Scullin O'Haire Inc.
Dunwoody Girl Scouts
Make it Mine Parties, LLC
Youth Leadership Sandy Springs
National Charity League
Hal's Kitchen
Target
Whole Foods
Trader Joes
Dunwoody Baptist Church MOPS
UPS

..as always Second Helpings
and many more!
  open sign
CAC will be open for services on Tuesday, April 1 at 10 am following the CAC Annual Meeting. The public is welcome to  the annual meeting, please rsvp to director@ourcac.org
 Taxes Done Free at CAC!
 
tax formGet your income tax returns prepared and filed for free at CAC and ensure your maximum refunds and proper filing with Uncle Sam! Appointments are required. Please visit the CAC website for more information.
 
  When you give to CAC, you help local families in need.  Donations help prevent homelessness and hunger locally in the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody communities. 
 volunteer clip art
VITA Receptionist  
Thrift Boutique on Thursdays 
Client Interviewers 
Front Desk   
Contact Debbie at volunteer@ourcac.org 
Contact CAC   

  

Assistance - Food Pantry  
Thrift Boutique

 

1130 Hightower Trail  

Sandy Springs, GA 30350
 
Mailing Address:
PO Box 501298

Atlanta, GA 31150
 
Office 770-552-4889
Helpline 770-552-4015
Fax 770-552-4339 
www.ourcac.org

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