Kent County Community Action Celebrates Community Action Month; Highlights Growth and Reach

GRAND RAPIDS, May 7, 2024 - Kent County joins the nation in celebrating Community Action Month in May, dedicated to recognizing the success of the national Community Action Network, originally created in 1964. Kent County's Community Action (KCAA) has been making an impact in West Michigan for 58 years, focusing on meeting various emergency needs including, but not limited to, food assistance, utility aid, housing support, transportation, and socialization for residents. Staff also assist with areas of self-sufficiency, Medicare insurance enrollment, and information referral services.

"Community Action Month is a wonderful time to honor and celebrate the impact our dedicated team has made in the lives of families and communities across Kent County," said Gustavo Perez, Director of Kent County Community Action. "From assisting families struggling with utility bills to making sure our older neighbors are receiving healthy foods, we are helping families thrive and creating solutions that can be put to work in communities across the country."

In addition to the month-long recognition, Kent County Community Action is celebrating significant growth and reach this past year:

• Distributed 88,337 free food boxes to residents in need
• Doubled impact of their Weatherization Program, from servicing 50-60 homes a year to 110-115 homes
• Launched a new, free diaper program and partnered with the Kent County Health Department to distribute them to their Maternal & Infant Health program participants
• Provided 7,654 rides to older adults or individuals with disabilities
• More than 40,000 volunteer hours provided assistance to residents

To review KCCA's Annual Report, visit here.

"Our Community Action team goes above and beyond, providing essential services to our most vulnerable residents," said Al Vanderberg, Kent County Administrator/Controller. "I am proud to recognize their successes and proud of how they continue to be role models for other Community Action organizations nationwide."

How You Can Help

Visit accesskent.com/Departments/CommunityAction/ to learn more about KCCA's services.

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