Community Chest Spotlight: Community Action Committee
The 2016–17 Sewanee Community Chest (SCC) Fund Drive is underway. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the SCC raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $116,850 for 26 organizations that have requested basic needs funding for elder care, food, books, children’s programs, animal care and recreational spaces. Currently, 51 percent of the goal has been reached in donations and pledges.
The Community Action Committee (CAC) is Otey Parish’s primary outreach ministry, and has been in existence for more than 40 years. The mission of the CAC is to provide assistance to persons in crisis with services related to basic human needs, to identify ways those persons can break out of the cycles of poverty and need and ultimately present the love of Christ in our community.
The CAC has a client base of approximately 200 households in the community. The CAC distributes over 1,000 pounds of food monthly. In addition to groceries, they also assist with water, gas and electric bills, medical and dental needs, emergency housing and transportation. Almost 94 percent of the CAC clients live below the poverty line.
The CAC will receive $10,000, if the SCC goal is met, to help support its mission and continue its work among the poorest of the poor in the community. The CAC does receive other income from the community, including businesses, Otey Parish, grants and individuals. The SCC funds approximately 37 percent of the CAC’s budget.
Since 1908, the goal of the Sewanee Community Chest has been to help citizens by funding the community. Through Community Chest funding, local organizations help those caught in the cycle of poverty, improve quality of life through outreach and community initiatives, and provide support for children with a variety of programs. The Sewanee Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375.
Donate through PayPal Giving and the SCC will receive 101 percent!