A MESSAGE FROM
MARJORIE VANESKAHIAN BURR, ACO CEO
Did you know?
Exciting news to share with you!
You may have heard that ACO purchased the former Big Lots building (117 N. Greenville Ave) in Allen this past summer. And, you may have seen recently that the outside of the building has been freshly painted to ACO’s brand, which matches our other locations. Soon signage will be added. Now it’s time to begin the hard work ahead as we repurpose the inside of the building to function as both our Donation Center and Resale MEGA Store!
However, we can only proceed as quickly as our community support will allow. We need partners to help defer the large costs, to donate your products and services, and to volunteer your time if you are handy with a tool belt or paint brush. We need sponsors! For more info, email Marjorie at marjorie@acocares.org or Rhonda Ptak at rptak@acocares.org. We hope to be in business in early 2023 accepting donations and opening a huge, new resale store to offer more bargains, with sales benefiting local families.
You ask what will happen to the current resale location? That’s more exciting news! It will become the new, larger ACO CARES CENTER, which will include the Food Pantry operations. Currently the center is in leased space. The current food pantry will become food storage and processing area.
The larger and improved ACO Cares Center will be a one-stop shop for families in need to get all of their groceries, household products, clothing needs and specialty items in one place. Shopping with a CARES CARD allows the clients to practice budgeting and careful spending while they shop and make wise selections. Exciting, huh?!
It’s also holiday season at ACO. We are currently collecting holiday grocery items from local food drives to stock up for our annual giveaway to ensure that no one goes hungry through the holidays. If you can help by donating food or a financial gift online, see our website or the list below for our needs.
The ACO NORTH POLE Toy Collection kicks off on Friday, November 25th and our early deadline for new, unwrapped toys is Saturday, December 10th so we have a short window to collect toys and gifts for ages 0-16. We expect over 1000 children will register for our program this year from our current, qualified clients. These families have qualified for ACO services, we know their needs and the specific items their children would like to receive. Volunteers will match their wish lists with the new toys we have, add a few extra stocking stuffers, and have it bagged for their parents to pick up in time for Christmas.
One more thing…
Soon you will receive a holiday card in the mail from ACO. It’s our message of thanks to our community, but also a direct ask for your support. ACO has struggled, like many families, and donations are down.
With a gift to All Community Outreach (ACO), you can provide relief and joy this holiday season. Your financial gifts assist with emergencies such as rent and utility assistance, and groceries for hungry families. ACO also provides programs for higher education, and employment services for better paying jobs, to provide a path out of poverty.
Your financial gift to ACO will be more valuable than anything you can wrap in a box or buy at the store this season for a struggling family in need of your help. Don’t wait, you can donate online today at the link below.
Sincerely,
MARJORIE VANESKAHIAN BURR, ACO CEO