CAC News
How does CAC use Community Services Block Grant funds?
CAC uses its annual CSBG allocation of $835,008 to leverage an additional $4,291,972 in other dollars to fight poverty in Dane, Jefferson and Waukesha Counties. Much has been said about the need to avoid duplication of services and streamline administrative functions in human service agencies. CAC uses Community Services Block Grant funds to support collaborative projects and grants, serving as lead agency for housing assistance and emergency food grants, thereby reducing administrative costs for other non-profits. A significant portion of CAC's work is done "behind the scenes" as we support the work and funnel resources to other service providers in our region. In 2010 CAC worked with 709 community partners (community agencies, churches, schools, businesses, and government entities) to help support families experiencing poverty. CSBG dollars also cover much of CAC's operating costs and allow us to focus more resources on direct assistance to those in need.
The following programs at CAC are partially funded by CSBG dollars:
- Homelessness Prevention programs, which include permanent and transitional housing, telephone assistance, rent subsidy, entry cost, and eviction prevention programs at CAC. Cuts would mean fewer people get the help they desperately need.
- Food Security – CAC annually distributes over 3 million pounds of food at no charge to 105 food pantries, meal sites, and community agencies in Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha Counties.
- Community Gardens – CAC builds community and promotes healthy living by supporting 53 community gardens in Dane County, which benefit nearly 2,400 households. CAC also supports 24 food pantry gardening efforts, which provide fresh local produce for families in need.
- Clothing programs – Each year, CSBG funding enables CAC to distribute 12,000 winter clothing items through Koats for Kids, and 15,000 bags of clothing to families struggling to stay afloat.
- Volunteer Coordination - CSBG funds support the recruitment, screening, training and retention of volunteers, who annually contribute nearly 20,000 to antipoverty efforts at CAC.
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