Annandale Christian Community for Action |
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Above: Help stock the ACCA food pantry on Saturday March 19 at George Mason Regional Library or Belvedere Elementary School |
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In its 54th year, ACCA continues to provide high quality child care and serves as a principal source of emergency assistance, including food, furniture and financial support, for our vulnerable neighbors. |
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Stuff the Bus
On Saturday March 19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. , stop by at one of two convenient locations where buses will accept donations on behalf of ACCA!
Drop off food for our needy neighbors at:
George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003
Belvedere Elementary School, 6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Nicole Lazarte, Lead Infant Teacher at the ACCA Child Development Center, on her election to the governing board for the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Grace Nicole Lazarte has been working in the early childhood education field since 2015. Before becoming a teacher herself, she grew up helping her mother run a family home day care. She is currently on the Provider Advisory Council with Virginia Promise Partnership. Nicole began getting involved with NVAEYC in early 2020 and is now a Member-at-Large and the Advocacy Committee Chair. She is a currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education at George Mason University. Nicole is passionate about working towards equity and inclusion for children and teachers in the field.
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Challenge Campaign - Thank you!
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we are again able to continue our mission of providing day care, food, rental assistance, furniture, and other services to low-income families in the Annandale/Bailey’s Crossroads area.
Our goal for this year’s Challenge Campaign was to raise $175,000 and with your support, we exceeded that goal and raised over $214,000! During the pandemic, we have seen huge increases in requests for rent and utility assistance and these extra dollars will help local families through their difficult circumstances
What counts most in ACCA is serving those in need. Because of this successful campaign, ACCA will continue to give hope and provide lasting change to local families in need.
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How ACCA Helps Our Neighbors
Family Emergency Assistance
The Family Emergency Assistance ministry provided financial assistance of $47,825 to 31 households totaling 87 individuals (family members) in February. Most of the assistance was used for rent or security deposits, utilities, prescription drugs, and medical or dental needs.
Food and Hygiene Ministry
ACCA’s Nutrition/Hygiene ministry provides nutritious food and other essentials to families and individuals in need in our community. Food is taken into the pantry where it is assembled and delivered to needy families. Following is a summary of assistance provided:
In February we provided food for 71 families and 241 individuals. We also received 3,532 lbs. of donations last month. We are running short of a number of items including Beef Stew, Spaghetti Sauce, Cereals, Cooking Oil, Pancake Mixes & Syrup, Bar Soap and Size 5 & 6 Diapers.
ACCA is able to provide this level of assistance thanks to donations from our 27 member churches as well as from the generous Annandale community.
Transportation
In February, In February the joint ACCA-Shepherd's Center transportation program had 34 requests.
To learn more or to become a volunteer driver, contact the Shepherd’s Center of Annandale Springfield office at (703) 941-1419 or email shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.
Furniture Ministry
We are happy to report the weather worked in our favor to make deliveries and pick ups twice in February. Eight households were served in March so far and that included 25 persons. Space continues to be a big issue. Many donors are able and very willing to bring items to our staging area on the grounds of Annandale United Methodist Church (AUMC). We continue to be most grateful to AUMC for providing the building and a space to park our two trucks
CROP Walk Report
ACCA received a third check from Church World Service in January 2022 for $393.75. This brings the total local share for ACCA to help fight hunger and poverty to $4391.15. The 2021 Annandale CROP Hunger Walk raised a total of $17,665 in check, donations for Church World Service. The 2022 walk is tentatively planned for October 15.
Rebuilding Together
ACCA is planning to work on two houses on April 30, 2022. Experienced house captains Ken Mittelholtz and Brian Meli will lead the work. Most of the tasks will be outdoors and the work crews will number around 12. Work will proceed under the COVID 19 protocols. Once we receive our assignments we’ll know more about the financial needs and any special skill requirements.
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Neighbor to Neighbor
Our Neighbor to Neighbor program which brings recent arrivals from Afghanistan together with local volunteers to help orient them to the U.S. We were happy to welcome 7 families to Peace Lutheran Church on a packed morning with some parents practicing their English, others learning how to use the computer or develop a resume, and children working with a tutor on school subjects or playing games; there were crafts for the preschoolers. We were assisted by 15 volunteers, including our planning team. This week we tried something new – the Afghan families taught us 4 words in Dari, and as we struggled with the pronunciation, we could appreciate the difficulty of learning a new language. We hope to continue our twice monthly in-person sessions for the foreseeable future. On March 26 we plan to honor the Afghan New Year with a Nowruz celebration where the families will bring food to share and explain the customs in their country, including clothing. Interested volunteers can contact Nadia Fitzcharles.
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Food Pantry Needs Bags
Because of the increased need for emergency food supplies, we will continue to collect donations on Tuesday - Friday from 1 - 5 p.m. Drop off donations at the food pantry located at 7200 Columbia Pike (trailer separate from the day care center) in Annandale.
We really need bags, especially paper bags and reusable shopping bags because they are good for the heavier items like cans and frozen meats. The pantry goes through 300-400 bags a week.
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Your Grocery Purchases Benefit the Child Development Center
Harris Teeter shoppers, you can make a donation to the ACCA Child Development Center (CDC) every time you shop by linking your VIC card to the CDC. Harris Teeter makes a donation to participating schools when you purchase participating Harris Teeter brand products.
To link your card (or update your selections), visit the site at Together in Education, or ask the cashier next time you are in the store. Use the enrollment code 8684 for the CDC.
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The homeless shelter at Bailey's Crossroads continues to need basic clothing for men & women (sizes Large-3XL): underwear, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants. They list these on their Amazon Wishlist. Items purchased from here can be sent to the administrative offices.
They also need items to be included in Welcome Home Baskets – there are provided to individuals when they move out of shelter and into their own housing. They provide basics like towels, dishes, sheets, etc. when they secure housing of their own. There is a separate Amazon Wishlist for these items.
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ACCA remains committed to the challenge of Jesus, as described in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” |
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