CAC Food Pantry Out of Staples, Seeking Food Donations
(Sandy Springs, GA) — The community is coming together at the Community Assistance Center (CAC) to help neighbors hit the hardest by the COVID-10 (coronavirus) outbreak. CAC, the first line of response for people who need support to prevent homelessness and hunger, is focused on providing food to families and individuals that need support and providing financial assistance to make sure that they stay in their homes. However, at this time the CAC Food Pantry is out of many staples and needs food donations.
Most Needed Food/Items:
Canned Meats: tuna, chicken, spam
Cereal
Dry beans
Dry pasta
Spaghetti sauce
Rice
Grocery store plastic bags
Modified CAC Food Pantry hours the week of March 23. Open for food donations and food distribution:
Monday 3/23, Wednesday 3/25 and Friday 3/27 from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Located at 8607 Roswell RD, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Last week more than 100 volunteers gave time in the food pantry receiving donations, packing bags of food and distributing food. Second Helpings volunteers continue to deliver fresh food. CAC had a steady stream of about 40 families a day coming for food assistance and the nonprofit delivered 45 bags of food to residents of a senior apartment building. All volunteer slots are already filled for this week in the CAC Food Pantry.
The community is supporting CAC in other ways. A half dozen organizations (congregations, neighborhoods and community organizations) have implemented Online Group Funding Drives for CAC with more expressing interest. These group funding drives have already raised about $25,000. More will be needed as CAC is already receiving requests for help with rent due to wage and job losses during the pandemic. CAC typically provides rent or utility assistance to about 675 families a year. The nonprofit agency expects a dramatic increase in requests this year.
CAC is the first line of response for people who need support to prevent homelessness and hunger in the communities of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and the area of Doraville served by Dunwoody schools. CAC has modified services in response to COVID-19. CAC facilities are closed to the public except for food pantry distribution and donations. The food pantry has moved to a drive through format and financial assistance services are being conducted by phone. Adult Education classes have moved online. The thrift shop is closed and not receiving clothing donations until further notice. Other services have been suspended to focus on basic needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
For more information about CAC, how to get assistance or how to help, visit www.ourcac.org.
