Did you make a New Year's resolution to live more generously? Wonderful!
Did you donate to your local charity to help neighbors in need? Amazing!
Now, close your eyes and picture the person who will be benefitting from your benevolence. Guess what? It’s probably not who you have in mind.
“It could be a single parent struggling to make ends meet, a family where one or both wage earners lost a job, or a senior citizen on fixed income supporting a family and fighting rising inflation,” says All Community Outreach CEO, Marjorie Vaneskahian Burr. “We see every face, every color, every type of car.”
All Community Outreach (ACO), formerly known as Allen Community Outreach, was founded by a group of caring community members in 1985. As the community grew, ACO changed its name to reflect its growing mission: to help neighbors stave off hunger and homelessness while they work toward financial stability.
In 2022, ACO provided 1,539,000 meals to Collin County residents as well as over $200,000 in rent and mortgage assistance.
That’s a pretty big impact.
“What I’m most proud of is our work through ACO Cares,” says Burr. “We’re committed to helping people reinvent themselves. They come in for food and walk out ready for a life change.”
ACO Cares’ employment center provides education and employment services including GED classes, college assistance, financial literacy, and career counseling.
ACO has a Gold Seal of Transparency as well as a four-star designation from Charity Navigator as a charity that meets and exceeds best practices and industry standards.
“ACO does an excellent job of shepherding funds to the place where it can have the most impact. It’s one of the many reasons why I work here,” says former volunteer turned Marketing Director, Scott Hildebrand.
Do you need support but are hesitant to ask? Do you think there are others out there who have it worse, so you shouldn’t reach out?
“Ask for help. That’s why we’re here,” says Burr. “That’s what our donors want us to do. Our kind, patient, and professionally trained staff are here to help.”
Want to get involved?
ACO is hosting their annual Golf Classic at TPC Craig Ranch in March. If you’re interested in being a business sponsor, or you’d like to put together a team to play in support, check out their website at www.acocares.org.
Volunteers are at the heart of All Community Outreach. As Burr asserts, “We couldn’t do what we do without you.”