Community

News from the Central Community Assistance Foundation

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Submitted by the Central Community Assistance Foundation

Guided by the belief that the City of Central has families who have been hurt by the current economic conditions and/or personal crises, the Central Community Assistance Foundation (CCAF), a newly organized 501 3(c) foundation, began to support students (public, private and home schooled) and their families who live in the Central area.  The CCAF Board voted to provide assistance in the following areas a)  School uniforms, b) Food (through the Central Food Bank), c) School supplies and d) help with shelter for those who lose their house due to fire.  The goal of CCAF to ensure that Central families—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. 

Applications can be found at the Central Library, Central Intermediate School, Central Community Schools Central Office and from the Principals at Galilee Baptist Academy/St. Alphonsus/Central Private.  Applications are reviewed based on financial need in context with the standard derived by the Board.

Since January 2010, the following are highlights of CCAF activities:

Over 75 families have been approved and have received some type of assistance or support:

  1. 130 Bags of School Supplies were distributed to students of qualified families with the assistance of Grace United Pentecostal Church and CCAF volunteers.
  2. School uniforms were provided to 66 students (28 families).  Additional items provided: Coats and Hoodies.  CCAF utilizes ALL possible resources prior to expending funds.  Most uniforms were donated by families of Central Community Schools parents.  Therefore, the average cost of providing the items listed about was $12.11 per child.
  3. About a dozen families have asked for assistance with food.  CCAF partners with the Central Food Bank to help these requests.
  4. CCAF has also organized help for two families who lost their homes to fire and a few other emergencies.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

  1. Food Drive – anyone wanting to donate non-perishable food items may drop them off at any Central Community School, as all schools collect food for our area.  November 16th at the Central Fire Station on Sullivan, volunteers will be available to dispense bags of food for the Thanksgiving holidays.  If you have applied to CCAF (forms are available at the Central Library and the Central School Board Office), you may come by the fire station between 8 am and 4 pm on November 16th to pick up some food items.  Dates for donating food: Now until Nov. 15th.
  2. Coats for Central Kids – Drop off any coats at Ross Tires, any Central school or Walgreens (corner of Sullivan/Greenwell Springs).  These coats will be available to students (public/private/homeschooled).  Date for Coat drop off: Now until Nov. 18th.
  3. Flu Shot Vouchers – Walgreens in Central has donated free vouchers for qualified CCAF applicants – ages 9 and up.  Please call 571-3337 to see if you qualify for the limited number of vouchers and where to pick up the vouchers.  The flu shots will be administered at the Central Walgreens. Please note that there are a limited number of vouchers available. 
  4. Recycled Can Drive – Please donate any aluminum cans to be recycled by Walgreens for CCAF.  You may drop cans at: Walgreens, Ross Tires, Oak Point, AVS, Winn Dixie.  Aluminum cans may be dropped off at anytime.
  5. Toy Drive – Donated toys will again be accepted by CCAF in coordination with other local organizations.  More information will follow as Christmas holidays approach.

Thanks to all who have donated to this organization. 

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