A family at the ACCA Child Development center is staying healthy by keeping up with their immunizations through the pandemic. |
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Annandale Christian Community for Action |
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As a result of our strong partnership with Fairfax County Government, we have been awarded a $3.1 million grant to help provide services during the pandemic. During the months of April, May, and June, ACCA volunteers worked to provide more than $900,000 of assistance to 1694 people, primarily in the form of rent to families who have lost jobs and income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A big thank you to our Family Emergency Assistance volunteers who have been working overtime to keep these families in their homes! These amounts are more than 4 times the usual amount provided in one full year in emergency assistance. Our food pantry helpers delivered groceries and gift cards to 600 households this quarter. The food deliveries have exceeded the total number provided in a typical year. |
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Immunization Awareness Month |
The ACCA Child Development Center and members of the staff were commended by the Fairfax County Health Department for providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic; ensuring infants and children receive age-appropriate immunizations, and their overall contribution to protecting the health and well-being of children and families in our community. Congratulations to all of the CDC staff and families. |
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Food Pantry Collections at ACCA
Because of the increased need for emergency food supplies, we will continue to collect donations on Saturday mornings from 9 am. – noon through September 26 at the food pantry located at 7200 Columbia Pike (trailer separate from the day care center) in Annandale. Weekday food collections will take place from 1 – 5 p.m. Pantry volunteers are following social distancing guidelines while volunteering at the pantry and we encourage visitors to keep the health and safety of our volunteers in mind while donating.
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We are pleased to announce the Ruffing Committee has chosen Catherine Soto of Springfield as our 2020 Ruffing Scholar. In honor and memory of ACCA founders Emily and Fred Ruffing, ACCA awards a scholarship each July to graduating high school seniors who have overcome disabilities. Catherine has excelled at her studies at Lee High School (now Lewis High School) in Springfield, made the A Honor Roll all four years, is a member of several honor societies, and active in varsity sports. She also has been active in community activities outside of school, including distributing food at her local church. She has been accepted at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Best wishes to Catherine.
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Give Back with Giant Food |
Have you heard the news? ACCA has been selected as the beneficiary of the Giant Food Community Bag Program! Each time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Giant Food at 7137 Columbia Pike in Annandale during the month of August we will receive a $1 donation. Every little bit helps! After you shop, remember you can drop off food donations at the pantry at 7200 Columbia Pike from 9 - noon on Saturdays and weekdays from 1 - 4 p.m. Thanks for your support. Please share with your friends and neighbors! |
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Just Neighbors Partnership
During the last eight months, our partnership with Just Neighbors helped 18 of neighbors with their immigration cases. A couple of examples:
- 7 DREAMers (ages 20-32) were able to renew their work permits (and DACA status) which allows them to continue to work, go to school and drive in Virginia. These young adults came to the United States as children from Peru, Bolivia and Honduras.
- 5 individuals were able to renew or replace their greencards. They came from Sierra Leone, Dominican Republic and Ethiopia.
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Ministries Updates for June |
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Food Ministry - 131 deliveries were made to families. We were also able to provide 39 families with gift cards. The pantry also received over 8000 lbs. of food donations.
Family Emergency Assistance - $379,000 in assistance was provided to 430 clients.
CROP Walk - ACCA is planning for a virtual Annandale CROP Hunger Walk because of the need for social distancing. View the video. Join with us to raise funds for Church World Service and ACCA to fight poverty and disaster and help neighbors near and far. With a virtual walk, walkers can raise funds online, by check or cash. They will walk together apart- walking in family or small groups or alone-on Saturday morning October 17, or at another time.
The 2019 fortieth anniversary Annandale Walk raised $22,232 for CWS. Of this, ACCA received $5,559 to help with our local efforts to fight hunger and poverty.
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Transportation - In the month of June the joint ACCA-Shepherd’s Center (SCAS) program provided 28 two-way rides. This group is looking for volunteers to drive seniors to medical appointments, food banks and grocery shopping, and also to provide handy helper assistance on weekends. A new program they have added is their Friendly Caller program, calling seniors who live alone and may have limited opportunity to interact with others. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the SCAS Office at 703-941-1419, Monday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., or email shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.
Homework Club - has been postponed due to the school closures.
Furniture Ministry - had 5 deliveries and 6 pickups in June as well as 12 drop-offs at the warehouse. The group is incorporating the pandemic protocols in their work.
Rebuilding Together.- has been working on a plan to modify the project to incorporate smaller repairs with a few volunteers during the pandemic.
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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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