Program areas at Area Churches Together Serving
The organization provided 13,379 services in the form of food, clothing, medical and dental assistance, utility assistance, rent assistance, furniture and housewares and transportation impacting 23,612 in individuals in 2022. 18,288 volunteer hours were recorded. The total value of the volunteer hours to operating ACTS programs and services was $547,725.
ACTS provides emergency utility assistance including utility payments, portable fans and portable electric heaters to individuals and families in need of supplemental assistance. When it is established that the client is qualified, utility companies are contacted to verify the bill and overdue status. Payment pledges to the utility companies are made in partnership with the client who pays a portion of the bill, thus avoiding the disconnection of service for the client.
ACTS operates three food programs. The Food Pantry is open five days a week to help clients who are food insecure. The Senior Food Program operates the third Saturday of every month and serves approximately 348 qualified seniors with a weeks worth of supplemental food (food for 21 meals per week). Many seniors are living on less than $800 a month and may struggle to meet food, medical and housing expenses. The monthly community Food Distributions are held in rural, underserved areas of Aiken County in order to meet the needs of individuals and families who have limited access to services and little to no transportation. The monthly food distributions occur in Ridge Spring, Oakwood-Windsor, New Ellenton, Wagener, Perry and Salley. All food program participants meet income eligibility guidelines and receive a weeks worth of food based on family size. ACTS serves approximately 2,000 individuals through the food programs each month. ACTS clients who need clothing receive clothing vouchers to be used in the ACTS Resale Stores Monday through Friday and within two weeks of receiving the voucher. Our program guidelines state that clothing vouchers can be provided four times a year, typically during change in season.