Poverty Task Forces: The Experience of 3 State Advocates

Around the nation, the political profile of poverty and opportunity is rising. Already, 8 states have established poverty targets. The National Governors' Association recently award 10 states funding to host Governor's Summits on poverty. The list of states with poverty task forces is growing.

Poverty Task Force: The Experience of 3 State Advocates is an audio conference call designed for advocates to ask questions of their peers about lessons learned in establishing and working with a poverty task force.

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The audio file of this conference is available here: (www.clasp.org) as an mp3/streaming audio file.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:58 AM - Categories: Member News

600 Thanksgiving baskets over 25,000 pounds of food, 2,400 individuals

Over 600 families have signed up for Thanksgiving baskets that will be distributed by the Fauquier Community Food Bank on Monday November 24th and Tuesday November 25th from Noon until 4:00PM. Unfortunately the CommonWealth Community Action Partnership (CWCAP) is unable to add any new families to the list. CWCAP will be distributing over 25,000 pounds of food to 600 families that will provide food to over 2,400 individuals. This has been made possible by the generous donations of countless individuals, businesses, schools and the Blue Ridge Food Bank and Warrenton Giant. This is truly a community effort that is making a difference to thousands of our neighbors and friends lives. These may be hard times but this community can stand tall and be proud of what we can do when we work together.

About The Fauquier Community Food Bank

Open: Open six days a week M-F from 12 PM to 4 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Closed Sunday and all federal holidays.

Frequency of service: Each individual can pick up non-perishable items once every two weeks. USDA commodities can only be picked up once a month by those who meet the TEFAP Household Income Guidelines. Perishable items can be picked up daily if available. We share the names of our customers with other food banks, pantries and closets in the region to reduce duplication of services. If an individual is going to multiple locations and picking up food they will be denied service.

Donations: Donations of food, supplies and cash from the community are making this service possible. For every dollar donated we are able to supply about $12 of food (retail value). For every dollar donated for school supplies we are able to provide about $7 of supplies (retail value). Please make checks out to Fauquier County Food Bank and send to Fauquier Community Action, 50 Sullivan Street, Warrenton, VA 20186. If you are donating items please bring them to the food bank or call 540-878-5444 to arrange for a pickup.
Volunteers Needed: To volunteer to work in the food bank or to help pick up donations call 540-347-7000 between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM Monday - Friday except holidays

Fauquier Community Action, 50 Sullivan Street Suite A,
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-347-7000

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:12 AM - Categories: Member News

Poverty Resolution in Loudoun County

Loudoun County, VA Plans to Cutting Poverty in Half

Susan-Jane Stack, Community Resource Director at the Loudoun County (VA) Department of Family Services, has passed on some great news—that the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recently approved a Resolution of Support for "Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017."

View the Press Release.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:16 AM - Categories: Press Releases

Good News for Virginians Struggling with High Heating Bills

Abingdon, VA - With a struggling economy and predictions of a frigid winter, many Virginians will soon face the daunting task of paying their home heating bills. Rob Goldsmith is the President of People, Inc. in Abingdon, one of the places people can go for help. He says federal funding for a home weatherization program for low-income households in the state recently doubled.

The homes weatherized by his group see an average 28 percent reduction in total household energy consumption, and Goldsmith says the additional funding will allow them to work on more Virginia homes. Local community action agencies and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development have information about eligibility requirements.

More information about qualifying and applying for LIHEAP funds, as well as a rundown of other low-income energy assistance programs, is available online at http://www.liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/profiles/Virginia.htm.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:27 AM - Categories: Press Releases

People Inc. of Virginia Featured in VWC Newsletter

People Inc. of Virginia's WIA Youth Program was recently featured in the 2008 fall edition of the Virginia Workforce Council's newsletter.

 View VWC News Letter (PDF)

Posted by VACAP Archives at 12:09 PM - Categories: Member News

Governor's News Event on Energy Assistance

Governor Kaine held a news event today discussing the increase in Virginia's LIHEAP funding for the Energy Assistance Program and the extension of the deadline to apply for fuel assistance to December 1. You may review information about the extension by viewing the press release from the Energy Assistance Program. You may also wish to view the Governor's news release.

The Governor also spoke about a number of private sector initiatives, including Virginia AARP's new Project Energy Save (a volunteer program to help the elderly with energy efficiency and simple weatherization). CAP-UP, formerly RCAP, has already signed up as an endorsing organization for the AARP program. If you visit Project Energy Save, you may find out additional information about the project as well as how to become an endorsing organization. Many community action agencies serve as Dominion energy share agencies and if you visit Dominion Energy Share, you will find out more information about the program and the Energy Share agencies link provides a list of those participating agencies.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 12:04 PM - Categories:

Virginia AmeriCorps Webinar: Becoming a Program Sponsor Overview

Virginia Americorps hosted a webinar Wednesday November 19, 2008 about becoming a Program Sponsor.

Information about Americorps can be found at http://www.vaservice.org/go/national/americorps_rfp/.  Prior to the webinar, participants reviewed Part 1 of the presentation to gain an understanding of Americorps Virginia.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 9:11 AM - Categories: Member News