Community Action Council of Howard County's mission is to diminish poverty, enable self-sufficiency and advocate for low-income families and individuals.  CAC's programs include early childhood education, housing assistance, energy and weatherization, and food assistance.  
CAC of Howard County Newsletter, Summer 2016
Message from the President
 
The fury of the flood that swept through Main Street in Ellicott City on July 30th caught everyone by surprise. Less surprising was the incredible generosity of our community in response.

From the truckload of water provided by our friends at Giant Foods to the 12,500 pounds of food and water gathered by the Howard High School Football Team to donations from compassionate businesses, families and individuals, CAC's warehouse on Route 108 was filled to capacity by the Tuesday after the storm.

Fortunately, we were in a position to use the space we recently secured for our new, expanded food bank. While the new food bank wasn't ready to open its doors in the wake of the storm, it was there to serve as a staging site for the abundance of donations thanks to CAC's Board of Directors, County government, generous donors and exceptional community partners.

This is how our community works, and this is why our community thrives. We help each other, we support each other.

CAC stands ready to continue to support our friends and neighbors affected by the flood, with our deepest thanks for the continued generosity of the community that enables us to do so.
Ways to Help
CAC offers heartfelt thanks to our community for the outpouring of support for those affected by the flooding in Ellicott City.

W e're accepting all food donations at our current Food Bank (located at 8920 Route 108, Columbia, MD, 21045). Please note, a t this time we can no longer accept water and other beverage donations.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please visit our website's Donate page.

We are grateful to live and serve in such a generous community. Thank you!
Community Action Council Closes on the Purchase of a New Food Bank Location
The Howard County Food Bank serves a vital role in the community, currently serving over 27,000 county residents and distributing close to 687,000 pounds of food annually. The new Food Bank will allow CAC to increase its capacity to serve Howard County residents experiencing food insecurity that rely on it each year and will allow for a significant portion of the population who are in need yet not served to gain access.

Read the full press release here .

Food Bank Garden Reaps Benefits Galore


Vine-ripened tomatoes.  Fresh bell peppers. Aromatic sage.  There's a lot growing in the five plots the Community Action Council of Howard County rents for the Howard County Food Bank at the Long Reach Garden Plot site.  But other good things are sprouting on those plots as well - like learning, camaraderie, and a strong sense of community. Click here for the full story.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
OCT 1-Glen Mar Family 5K and 1-Mile Walk

Perhaps you are trying to fit into a new outfit, or maybe you'd just like to crank out some exercise. Whatever your motive, you are invited to join the Glen Mar Family 5K and 1-Mile Walk starting and ending at Glen Mar Church: 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City. 
 
The event's mission is bigger than to get folks' adrenaline flowing-it will raise money & food for the Howard County Food Bank.  Click here for more info & to register. 
 

 
OCT 20- Holland Awards Dinner 6pm-8pm 
Click here for more info. & sponsorship opportunities.
 
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! 
SPOTLIGHTS

Thank you GIANT!
Pat Starliper, manager of the newly opened Giant at 9200 Baltimore National Pike, and Bita Dayhoff, President of CAC, hold up a $5,000 check that Giant donated to the Howard County Food Bank. The check was presented at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 19. 


Rotary Club of Columbia Awards CAC!
CAC was presented a $1,000 Rotary Award from the Rotary Club of Columbia.  Attending the ceremony were (front row, from left) Sue Shafley, Camp Attaway; Doris Ligon, African Museum of Art; Marian Buck-Lew, HCC Piano Scholarship; Greg Fleisher, Howard Community Rouse Scholars Program; Don Van Deusen, First Tee of Howard County; and (back row, from left) Melissa Rosenberg, Columbia Festival of the Arts; Beth Stein, CAC; Lt. Tanya Riffle and PFC Ben Carlton, Howard County Policy Unity Tour; John Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree; and Mike Couch, Making Change. 
CAC CHAMPIONS!

WE HAVE THE MOST AMAZING STAFF! 
As each CAC team member works and strives for excellence in our quest to enable others to enhance the quality of their lives and to share in the promise and opportunity of our community, we realize it takes a tremendous team effort from each and every member of our staff.   Read here about why these 6 were selected this quarter.

NEW FACES!

Welcome & get to know employees who have joined CAC in recent weeks  here .

Howard County Film Feastival


 
The Howard County Film Feastival
held July 19 at Clark Elioak's Farm in Ellicott City provided plenty of food for thought and consumption.  The offerings included a wide array of farm-fresh food samples provided by Howard County restaurants. There were also farm produce and products for sale at a farmer's market. And , the documentary film, "Just Eat It," informed folks about the volume of food that is thrown away because it is not perfect. The event also kicked off another food-related event, "Love Local" Restaurant Weeks.  
 
While the feastival was free, donations from the attendees were given to the Howard County Food Bank Community Garden, which means those contributions will bear fruit.  Thanks for the opportunity to grow and give nutritious produce to people who can least afford to buy it. 
 
 
 
 
Thank you to the 
 Iron Bridge Wine Company
Wining & dining is an enjoyable way to spend an evening, but thanks to the Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia, it was also a magnificent way to raise money.  CAC's coffers increased more than $2,000 from a private event held at this restaurant on June 26. 

CAC Board members Dwight Mikulis and Oren Saltzman hosted the event.  While 29 attendees savored their four-course meals and drinks, the restaurant's General Manager Vince Culotta talked about subjects near and dear to his heart (and stomach) - food and wine.

Additional pictures from the event are here. 
 



Howard County Head Start Students Jump for Joy Thanks to Their Summer Enrichment Program

Howard County Head Start's Summer Enrichment Program has evolved into a phenomenal success story.  The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ellicott City started the program and continues to lend its wholehearted support, with many other organizations contributing fantastic assistance.   Click here  to read about this program and many of the organizations that have supported it.  
 
 
HOW SMART MONEY GIVES

Many Howard County residents are big givers, even philanthropists. Below are a few ways to increase your contribution to the Community Action Council of Howard County while enjoying even greater tax benefits.
  1. Give appreciated securities, save on taxes twice. If you have a stock or other investment (even real estate) that has grown significantly in value over the years, you can give it to a charity.  When the charity sells the investment, no tax is due.  You get a full deduction for the gift without paying tax on the gain.
  2. Benefit from Extra Maryland tax credits. 
    There are several tax credit programs that will reduce what you owe the state if you gift under the terms of the program.  The Community Investment Tax Credit Program, for example, provides a Maryland tax credit of 50% on top of federal and state income deductions.  What does that mean?  Make a gift of $500 to Community Action Council of Howard County. Under the program, you get back $250 in a special Maryland tax credit plus the federal and state deductions. The net cost of that gift could be pennies on the dollar.
  3. Make your gift near year-end.  If you know this is a high tax year for you, it may make sense to make that gift near year end to reduce taxes.  It's also easier to keep track of those receipts when tax time comes in a few short months.  However, when it comes to CAC's tax credit program, make your donation as soon as possible as there is huge demand and limited credits are available.
  4. Consider getting an income tax projection. Remember, that last contribution can actually take you down a tax bracket so consider getting an income tax projection to see if giving will put you in a lower bracket.
Nancy Briguglio, CFP® and Scot Millen, AIF®, who provided this article, are registered representatives with the Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice is offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor.  Private Advisor Group and Brightworks Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial.
 
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific financial or tax advice or recommendations to any individual.

HELP US HELP HOWARD COUNTY
CAC's dedicated staff of 92 employees provides services for 35,000 Howard County residents.  That's a lot of people relying on us every day to provide basic services.

And we've done a pretty good job so far.

But the need for our services has increased 243% over the past six years, so we are seeking help from the Howard County community to k eep up with the demand.

  
We have many ways for you to give - financially, through in-kind donations and by volunteering. Your generous donations help CAC:
  • Operate the Howard County Food Bank
  • Administer the Head Start program for almost 300 pre-K children
  • Provide energy/weatherization help
  • Offer housing assistance to prevent homelessness.
To secure your commitment to CAC and Howard County residents living in poverty, please contact Brad Dwin at 410-313-3714 or  [email protected]. He would be thrilled to walk you through all of CAC's many contribution options.

You can even visit our web site  www.cac-hc.org
and donate directly.