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by Marjorie Vaneskahian
"I wish I could do something to help people. I’d like to be able to make a difference in someone else’s life." Have you ever thought this? Would you like to become more involved in your community but not sure where to start? There’s never been a better time to become a volunteer, or to get more involved in your community. Let me tell you how.
Allen Community Outreach (ACO) recently opened the new ACO Food Pantry. This new mart-style pantry is the first of its kind in our area. Families come to us for emergency services of many types, including food. Thanks to donations of both perishable and non-perishable food items, as well as dairy, meats and baked goods, families can push a cart down the aisles of the pantry and make choices their families will eat and enjoy.
It takes the hard work and dedication of the entire community to keep the ACO Food Pantry doors open and shelves stocked. Businesses, civic groups, churches and individuals are needed to hold food drives; volunteers are needed to work at the pantry to stock shelves and assist families. You can make a difference in the lives of families who are in need of food—collect food items for the pantry or volunteer your time for a few hours.
ACO Dedication and Open House set for Saturday, November 7
Visit the new ACO Food Pantry and offices, as well as the newly renovated ACO Resale Shop and help us dedicate our building to the community on Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will have tours, entertainment and free hot dogs, chips and drinks. Atmos Energy will bring their grill—Big Tex! There will be music, a big inflatable slide, face painting and more. You won’t want to miss it! Stop by 801 E. Main Street, next to the Dollar General and across from Rountree Elementary School.
Holiday Programs Need Donations and Volunteers
Now that we are into November, the phones are busier at ACO and more families are coming through our doors. Stress is highest at the holidays. What should be a joyous time at Thanksgiving can be very depressing when there’s little or no food to feed the family. Christmastime can be the hardest time for parents who want their children to have new toys to open and don’t know how to explain to their little ones that Santa won’t be coming this year.
Two of our programs can take the stress and disappointment away from families during this holiday time. You can help and make a difference to these families. ACO’s Thanksgiving Food Baskets provide boxes of groceries and a frozen turkey to families so they can have a traditional meal on Thanksgiving Day.
In the weeks prior to Thanksgiving, food drives are held across our communities and donated to ACO for this program. Volunteers will sort and box the food on November 19-21. Thanks to the First United Methodist Church of Allen for donating their space for us to work in for the project. Last year more than 600 boxes were filled to provide groceries to about 300 local families. Volunteers put in 794 hours for this project.
In ACO’s Christmas Adoption Program, we ask the community to "adopt" a child, teen or senior for Christmas. You will be given the person’s clothing sizes and wish list and asked to make their holiday a little happier by purchasing new clothes and toys for them.
All items must be new and unwrapped. Throughout the year we provide families with vouchers to spend like cash at ACO’s Resale Shop where they receive gently-used clothing. Christmas may be the only time during the year they receive clothing that is brand-new.
With your adoption of a child, teen or senior, you can make this very special time of year a lasting memory for someone who otherwise would not experience the joy of the holiday season. Last year’s adoptions topped more than 800 and volunteers put in 853 hours. Finally, donate new and unwrapped toys at any local fire station to the Toys for our Tots drive. The Village at Fairview is also collecting toys for ACO at Santa’s house. Other businesses and groups around town are also collecting toys and we thank you. We makes sure that all toys collected go to local children in need.
Can you imagine the sadness and despair felt by many families during the holidays when they are facing layoffs, cut-off notices on their utilities, eviction notices or no food in their pantry? Groceries for Thanksgiving and shopping for Christmas gifts may be the last thing on their mind. If you are wondering if you can help this holiday season, or if you are ready to volunteer in your community, there’s never been a better time.
For more information on volunteering, call 972.727.9131 or go to the website at www.acocares.org to find adoption forms and volunteer applications.
Marjorie Vaneskahian is the director of volunteer services at ACO. |
