December 2023

Merry Christmas

As we approach another Christmas season, we want to reflect on this past year. Although we've made it through a global pandemic, basic needs in our community remain unmet. We aren't able to ensure food security for all of our neighbors and many remain at risk of becoming unhoused.

However, with the help of our many donors and volunteers, ACCA looks forward to 2024 when we will continue to work to provide food and financial assistance to our needy neighbors, one family at a time.

Holiday Event

Children at the ACCA Child Development Center enjoyed visiting with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou Who during their holiday party on Friday, December 15. Many thanks to all the partners who donated gifts for the children and to the parents and staff for their support! Merry Christmas!

Challenge Campaign

ACCA needs your support to continue our work in the coming year. Although we were able to meet the demand for services through the pandemic, we continue to see an increased need in our neighborhoods. This trend reflects a nationwide increase in food insecurity as many government benefits were reduced post-pandemic. In 2022, ACCA saw a 37% increase in the number of individuals served by our food pantry.

In our 56th year, ACCA continues to provide high-quality childcare and serves as a principal source of emergency assistance, including food, furniture, and financial support, for our vulnerable neighbors.

Our efforts depend on your generosity. We hope you will consider a donation to ACCA as we wrap up our 2023 operations.

We have focused our operations to meet the growing needs of the community. Your donations will help us to continue to serve our local community in our 57th year!

Our goal for this year's Challenge Campaign is to raise $175,000 in donations between now and January 31, 2024. You all have been amazing supporters of ACCA and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Did You Know?

ACCA's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30 and in our 56th year, we are proud to share our annual Year In Review here.

A few highlights:

We have served more than 296 infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers at the Child Development Center.
We have provided direct financial assistance to 385 households totaling 1163 individuals for rent or security deposits, utilities, prescription drugs, medical or dental needs, and miscellaneous purposes.
Pantry volunteers made 1249 deliveries helping a total of 3864 individuals with a 7 to 10-day food supply.
We delivered 598 furniture and household items to 229 persons in 62 needy households.
The combined Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield/ACCA Transportation provided 546 round-trip rides – with 35 volunteer drivers.

ACCA's administrative expenditures amount to only .5% of our total expenditures for FY2023. Many nonprofits have administrative costs of 20% or more. Thanks to our many volunteers who share hours of their time and expertise, we can use your contributions to support our community. Your donations to ACCA are used to support our mission rather than for administrative costs.

Read the entire Year in Review here.

November Impact

Program	Individuals Served	Households Served	Amount
Family Emergency Assistance	66	23	$24,297
Food and Nutrition	384	119
Transportation	54	54
Total	504	196	$24,297

Festival of Lights at Mormon Temple

The Festival of Lights features over 400,000 Christmas lights, Nativity créches and Christmas tree decorations from around the world, and daily holiday performances through January 1, 2024.

Visitors’ Center Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Christmas Lights Hours: 4:45 PM – 9:00 PM

9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD 20895

Entrance and parking are free. Please invite your friends and family to attend with you!

Find out more.

Donate to ACCA

Drivers needed

Do you have a driver's license and a few hours per month to help with one of these programs? Schedules are flexible and the commitment is just an hour or two in most cases.

1) Drivers for Medical Appointments

Can you help by driving someone to and from a medical appointment? Drivers are needed to provide rides to medical and therapy appointments for persons age 50 or older who cannot drive themselves. If interested, please contact the Shepherd's Center at 703-941-1419 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday or shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com. This program is a joint effort between Shepherd's Center of Annandale Springfield and ACCA.

2) Food Delivery Drivers

ACCA is looking for food delivery drivers to deliver food to needy clients within the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area. There is no fixed commitment. Drivers can work weekly or every few weeks or less as it fits their schedules each week. Deliveries are between 1:30 and about 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Drivers receive food referrals from the food captain, contact the client to ensure they will be home, pick up pre-packed food at the pantry, and drive to the client’s residence. The time involved is usually less than an hour. Complete the volunteer interest form.

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Annandale Christian Community for Action

info@accacares.org| https://accacares.org