Ascend Performance Materials’ Post

This month's nonprofit Spotlight is Community Services Clearinghouse: I got to sit down with Aubry Severe and learn about the ways this organization can help, and also hear about the impact they've already made. Here's what we discussed: Q. What is one thing you want our community to know about this organization? A. There is an on-site food pantry for elders, disabled, and individuals going through medical treatments. Q. How many were you able to help in 2023? A. *They helped 400 families a month with the food pantry *71,898 kids from Aug. 2023-May 2024 through the Meals for Kids Backpack program *142 schools in 7 counties Q. What brought you to this organization? A. Aubry first came as a volunteer for the holiday program for a few years then applied to become a caseworker, and is now the Director of Operations Q. What big events do you have coming up in 2024? A. *True Grit Ride/Run is coming up soon on June 22. The ride starts at 7am, and run starts at 7:30am. You can sign up at csclearinghouse.org *Meals for Kids Backpack program picks back up in August Q. How can we help? A. Pantry donations are always needed especially in the summer. Businesses can help by hosting food drives.

Did you know that every dollar you donate to the Fostering Success Act can be claimed as a 100% tax credit? This isn't just a donation; it's an investment in both your community and your fiscal health. The "Fostering Success Act" allows you to help aged-out foster youth directly while benefiting you with dollar-for-dollar tax credits on your Georgia tax returns. Learn more at fosteringsuccessact.org.

🇺🇸 Worried about political giving impacting your fall fundraising? Don’t be. Evidence shows it won’t. Charitable giving has increased in 9 of the last 10 presidential election years. Political giving is less than 2% of all charitable donations. Elections can actually boost awareness of civic duty, leading to increased charitable donations. Stay the course: - Mail fall appeals in September/October and end-of-year appeals before Thanksgiving or early December. - Inspire donors with thank-yous, stories, and impact reports. - Ensure timely thank-you letters, calls, and emails, especially to first-time donors. - Continue soliciting via email until New Year’s Eve. Five Maples is here to help. Here’s to a successful fall and end-of-year fundraising season!

Central Bucks MobilePack Let’s do a quick walk down memory lane: 1. Central Bucks MobilePack had its beginnings in 2013. 2. Since 2013, we have packed 6,563,160 meals! 3. Since 2013, we’ve appreciated the support of 23,515 community volunteers! 3. Since 2013, we’ve raised approximately $1,663,290! Our community pays for the meals so the efforts of frontline NGO’s and missions, doing the hard work in the field, don’t incur that financial burden. 4. THE BIG AND BEST NUMBER: 17,981 kids have gotten a hot meal/day for an entire year! The need remains staggering and sadly steady. 6,200 kids die every day from starvation and malnutrition. EVERY DAY! Our effort makes a difference and provides HOPE for people all over the world. The food we’ve packed over the last 10 years has gone to 23 countries on 4 continents to people in their most desperate hour. And it’s all possible because you've cared enough to offer two hours of your time, have some fun and pack some meals. We hope you’ll join us again May 16-20 at beautiful Delaware Valley University in Doylestown. Registration to volunteer opens in early April. Your presence and your financial support means everything to us. The link below will enable you to support this event directly. With a goal of 1,000,000+ meals, we hope to raise $291,000 for this event. The attached picture is tough to see, but we need you to know what’s at stake and how real and urgent the need is in the world. We hope you’ll help us! https://lnkd.in/epuZXQnq

such important work. please consider donating and getting that "double-up"

🏠Our Residential Transitional Housing program provides housing and supports to women and children for up to a year, but the support doesn't end there! 🌈For those who've completed our residential program, the journey continues with the support and guidance of our Aftercare Program. Here's how it works: 🔹 Ongoing Support: Our dedicated outreach worker is there to provide continued guidance and encouragement. 🔹 Connection to Community Resources: Our knowledgeable team is constantly building connections with community resources to best serve the women in our Aftercare program. 🔹 Counseling Services: Access professional support for any ongoing challenges. 🔹 Tangible Supports: Through generous donations from community members, we are able to provide women in our Aftercare program with donated items to help support their new home. This program is evolving to meet the needs of the women and children we support! Consider supporting Marillac Place, as we grow to meet the needs of our community.

Sounds fun…

COMMUNITIES FIRST FUND Sign up for the PIE&G Communities First Fund to “round up” your utility bill and internet/voice bill to the next whole dollar. The average cost is about 50 cents a month (or less than a dollar a year if you're billed annually). Funds are administered by an independent, all-volunteer board and are awarded to nonprofit and charitable organizations across northeast Michigan. These small donations make a big difference in helping your fellow members and local communities - from school-age students to senior citizens, food pantries, and first responders. It doesn't cost much, and it's easy to enroll: • Go to pieg.com/communities-first and click on 'Enrollment Form,' • Call Member Services at 1-800-423-6634 from Mon-Fri 8 am to 4:30 pm, or • Enclose the coupon below with your next bill payment.

Watch the video tour of the P.A.C.K. facility! Recently, we had an incredible PACK the Van event at the Isle of Hope, where we got an exclusive tour of the P.A.C.K. warehouse and distribution center, guided by Malena Stone herself! The organization and beauty she has infused into this space are truly breathtaking. For those who appreciate an impeccably organized environment (yes, fellow OCD friends, I'm talking to you!), this place is a dream. The bag-packing area operates with unparalleled efficiency – a model of streamlined operations crucial for packing over 4,300 weekly bags for kids. With 1 in 3 children in Southeast Georgia facing food insecurity, the impact of this efficiency cannot be overstated. Malena explained there are another 2000 kids on the waiting list for these food bags! But there's more to the warehouse than just efficiency; the shop area, thoughtfully designed by Malena, creates an experience akin to shopping in a high-end store for the kids. This beautiful, clean, and welcoming space is where children can select clothes and supplies that would otherwise be unaffordable for them. Additionally, it's here that 'emergency bags' are prepared for kids in urgent need, often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These emergency bags, akin to overnight bags, are equipped with a change of clothes and essential items to support the children for a day or two.   Words can not do justice to how impressive this place is – you have to see it for yourself. Check out our video for a full tour, and prepare to be amazed! In light of recent budget cuts, they desperately need the support!! (our ingenious politicians have cut 70% of their budget) P.A.C.K. needs our support more than ever to continue their vital work. Every donation makes a difference in combating child hunger in our community. Click the link below to donate NOW, and help us keep making a positive impact! Donate Here → https://bit.ly/PACKTheVAN   #PACKSavannah #CommunityImpact #VolunteeringJoy"

Here we are, on the cusp of finishing out the 2023 year and what a year it’s been! Gladly, so many of us have figured out what to buy family and friends for holiday gift giving so now, we can put our minds to work on making other people’s lives filled with joy, merriment, and surprises during the year-end festivities. On this topic, I extend a few thoughts for wrapping up year-end donations, not only from the heart, but also for the taxman... Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3NRNMYZ