Seeds For Thought

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Seeds For Thought September 2017 CAC Gala—A True Reflection of Caring About Community! On July 28, close to 180 friends joined us for our second annual Caring About Community Gala, helping us raise $30,000 to support CAC’s work! Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, our keynote speaker, gave a moving address in which he shared stories about the challenges his family faced growing up in poverty, as he assured attendees that they were “doing the Lord’s work” in helping their south Kansas City neighbors.   The evening’s activities also included the introduction of our new Executive Director, Damion Alexander; an acknowledgement and thanks to our Interim Executive Director, Carol Bird Owsley; a captivating performance by Ruskin High School’s marching band; a fabulous silent auction and great food and drink, all in the timeless setting of the Armacost Museum. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver keynote address.   Special thanks to the generous sponsors who made the evening such a success: Presenting Sponsor: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Platinum Sponsors: City of Kansas City, MO KCP&L Gold Sponsors: Barbara Mueth & Steve Rinne Swope Health Services Silver Sponsors: CenterPoint Properties Keith & Carol Owsley Bronze Sponsors: First Baptist Church Grade A Tree Service Councilman Kevin McManus Red Bridge Shopping Center Rosehill Gardens Melissa Taylor Councilman Scott Taylor Thanks also to our table hosts: Bob & Sue Love, Rev. David McDaniel, D.J. & Ann O’Hare and John Sharp, and to everyone who attended the event. We look forward to seeing all of you at next year’s Gala! CAC at Work: CAC Food Pantry When Sarah Love was in the 8th grade, her mother, Tracey, thought an important part of her home schooling would be to learn about helping others. And since then, mom and daughter have come almost every Tuesday morning for five years to volunteer in the CAC Food Pantry.      “I’ve learned about how much need there is in our community, and how important it is to do whatever you can to help,” Sarah says. She’s entering her senior year this year and plans to attend community college next year. Tracey Love and her daughter Sarah volunteer at CAC’s Food Pantry       Tracey and Sarah are only two of nine volunteers who help make our food pantry possible. Anywhere from five to eight individuals and families come to the food pantry every Monday to Thursday, and another five or six are served each Friday in our SAFE pantry for those with food allergies.                                   CAC is the only agency in the metro area, which offers special food choices for those with gluten-free and other needs. The food pantry was created from a partnership between CAC and the Food Equality Initiative (FEI) with the goal of providing families challenged by food allergies and Celiac Disease access to the foods needed to maintain their health.    “CAC is the only agency in the metro area which offers special food choices for those with gluten-free and other needs.”      Families visit the pantry once a month to receive a variety of meat, bread, fruit and vegetables, milk, and even desserts, plus personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies. They can make their own selections from that month’s menu (plus whatever additional items have been donated that week, written on a board in the waiting room), and volunteers in the food pantry fill each individual order.    Much of the food for CAC’s pantry comes through Harvesters. We also receive donations from area churches, individuals, organizations and grocery stores.    If you are interested in volunteering for a few hours, one day a week or in donating food to the pantry, please visit our website https://www.cackc.org/volunteer.html or contact Damion Alexander at (816) 763-3277 ext. 103.   Welcome to New CAC Board Members and Staff! Serving as a board member is one of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer experiences. CAC is pleased to welcome five new board members. Rev. Darron Edwards, United Believers Community Church Bill Humenczuk, Community Volunteer Rev. David McDaniel, Holmeswood Baptist Church Barbara Mueth, Community Volunteer Nicole Williams,  Hickman Mills School District CAC would not be able to accomplish much without the dedication and hard work of its staff. Please join us in welcoming two new staff members: Damion Alexander, Executive Director Trina Taylor, Bookkeeper Natalie Buzzard, Receptionist Opportunities to Support CAC When You shop, Amazon Gives Back. Support CAC by shopping online at www.smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate 5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to CAC. Setting it up is easy: Sign in with your Amazon ID and password. Under the heading "Select a Charity" choose "Pick your own Charitable Organization". In the box, type “Community Assistance Council”. OR Go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7439079 and bookmark this link, so all their eligible shopping will benefit Community Assistance Council.  Financial Contributions Your financial contribution allows us to assist area families in many ways. From rent or utility assistance, needed transportation, home maintenance issues and help with unexpected needs, your donations help your community. Financial contributions can be made by check, written out to “Community Assistance Council,” or donated online at  www.cackc.org. To make a sustained difference in our community, please consider joining the Circle of 40, a new giving program for people who donate $40 or more each month.  The benefits of monthly giving include:  Granting CAC the ability to better plan for financial cash flow, and provide more sustainable programs It is easier on you to give smaller amounts monthly as opposed to one larger annual donation It reduces administrative costs of fundraising It is easier for you, so you don’t need to remember to donate!  We always appreciate in-kind donations of food and clothing. You can electronically contribute by using the "Donate Now" button below, or send a check directly to our office. All donations are tax-deductible. Donate Now Facebook Twitter Website Instagram Copyright © 2017 Community Assistance Council, All rights reserved.