COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
SAFETY & EMPOWERMENT
Crispus Attucks Lends a Hand During 2020, the Crispus Attucks Community Center, part of CAP’s Safety & Empowerment Team, stepped up to feed the community in a big way. The Center has always been committed to making sure all of our neighbors have what they need, but those needs have never been quite so big before! Due to the pandemic lockdowns, many people unexpectedly found themselves in need of support they had never accessed before, and CACC was ready to respond. The Center doubled its number of monthly food pantry days, provided grab-and-go community meals, and served as a resource for any other needs our customers shared.
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One of our customers at the Center shared his experience visiting the pantry for the first time during COVID: “I have always been fortunate enough to be able to provide for my family. When the pandemic hit I was in the first round of cuts from my job. I went from being financially stable to having to choose which bill I would pay and what meal I could buy to last my family through the week. I was walking past Crispus Attucks Community Center and was greeted by an employee and I asked what was happening because the line was wrapped around the parking lot. The employee explained the food bank was taking place and gave
me the hours and even walked me along through the process of getting signed up. I am a very prideful person, but the reassurance and how genuine the staff were really made me feel welcomed. It was the simple things I noticed: they referred to us as customers and they provided items past food such as masks, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc. I also received help through their Emergency Rental Assistance Program. I never would have known about these resources had the staff never mentioned it us as we passed through the line. I am so grateful and thankful to know this Center is still in our community and truly living in its mission and values.”
