Summer Brings Shortage at Food Pantry

The Community Assistance Center has sent out an SOS for food donations in its pantry and large backpacks and school supplies for high school students.

Soup, canned pasta meals, canned tuna, canned meats, chili, corn, peas, tomato sauce, rice and cereal are needed in the food pantry, a press statement said. 

School supplies are needed by July 24. The CAC needs 150 large backpacks, 150 packages of lack and blue ink pens, 300 pink erasers, and 500 folders with prongs and pockets in assorted colors. 

Donations are accepted 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday or make financial donations online at www.oucac.org.

The non-profit serves Sandy Springs and Dunwoody residents in need.

• More than 900 households were able to pay rent, mortgage or utilities for one month because of CAC assistance.

• More than 5,700 individuals from 2,346 households were served. Ninety-three percent live in Sandy Springs; seven percent in Dunwoody. 

•  In-cash donations totaled $774,728

• Volunteer time amounted to $408,000.

•  $210,873 was provided in financial assistance; 78 percent in rental assistance to 660 households; 22 percent in utilities assistance to 261 households.

• $876,284 in-kind donations was provided for food, clothing, school supplies, holidays and basic needs.

•  Over 450 families received food each month.