To become a donor, click here
We believe that food shouldnât be an impossible choice, but it is the reality for 19.6% of adults and 17.4% of children. According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rates for adults are 4.6% higher and for children 19.2% higher than the national average.
Food insecurity as a lack of access to enough nutritionally adequate food for an active, healthy lifestyle for all household members. Itâs a complex problem that does not exist in isolation and though closely related to poverty, not all people living below the poverty line experience food insecurity and people living above the poverty line are often affected. A September 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture report revealed âhunger in America is getting worse, not betterâ. The report also revealed that children experiencing food insecurity is up from 2021. In the first seven months of this year, CAPâs Food Pantry served 4,738 individuals; 1,714 were children. On average, each month, we see 94 new individuals in need of assistance, an alarming growth in the number of our neighbors struggling to put food on the table at a time when food donations have actually fallen.
Food insecurity often becomes more pronounced during the holiday season. While many people celebrate with big holiday meals, others struggle to access basic food needs. This time of year, can bring additional financial and emotional burdens that can include heating bills, holiday expenses and childcare during school breaks. Families living paycheck to paycheck often have to make impossible choices between food and other essential needs. For children who rely on school meals, the holidays mean losing access to a critical source of nutrition. The gap places additional strain on already struggling families and increases the demand for assistance.
Five Ways to Give That Make a Meaningful Impact
GIVE MONEY: Your donations help sustain critical lifechanging programming. No gift is too small. This year, we are asking for donations to help fight hunger. Your monetary donation this Giving Tuesday and throughout the year, are needed now more than ever. No gift is too small. This year, we are asking for donations to help fight hunger. Your monetary donation this Giving Tuesday and throughout the year, are needed now more than ever. CAP typically sees a surge in demand during the holidays, with November being the busiest month of the year for the Food Pantry. Over the last two years, we have seen an 82% increase in need in November as families seek help to provide special meals and meet everyday needs.  This increase poses challenges to our pantry in keeping the shelves stocked due to stagnant funding, rising food costs and disruptions in the supply chain. Every year, with more families reaching out for help it can be a heartbreaking time for those who are forced to make impossible choices, but itâs also a time when we see our community come together to make a difference. Monetary donations allow CAP to purchase fresh produce, dairy and meat in bulk ensuring families receive balanced meals and donations of non-perishable staples help keep our shelves stocked. Monetary contributions will also be able to fill the Head Start Backpacks with additional food over the two-week holiday break.
We encourage you to learn more about our programs and how your dollars make a difference. To donate online, click here, by mail or in person to 89 York Street, Suite 1, Auburn, NY 13021.
GIVE TIME: Every hour of time makes a difference. We have so many ways you can safely volunteer and impact lives. From our food pantry (stocking shelves, packing boxes, data entry), mobile food pantry (volunteer to deliver healthy, nutritious foods to homebound and disabled individuals, limited or no contact, choose your routes and your hours) Volunteer Medicaid Transportation (rewarding opportunity, flexibility and mileage reimbursement, allows you to make an extra money without affecting any benefits), CAP Closet Free Clothing Program (impactful volunteer driven program that provides free gently used clothing to families in need), general office work (clerical, data entry, filing) to a variety of other opportunities based on your interests, abilities and schedule. To learn more, email volunteer@caphelps.org
GIVE VOICE: You have the power to create change, provide opportunity and inspire others to give back, elevating what we can accomplish together. Through your advocacy, we are able to secure more funding and create lasting change in the fight against poverty. Email your elected officials, educate your family, friends and neighbors or share your concerns, experiences and ideas with us. We value community input. To find out more call 315-255-1703 or email jrossi@caphelps.org.
GIVE SKILLS OR GOODS: Your talents and donations of goods allow us to better serve families in need and stay within the community. Nonprofits like CAP are often stretched thin and your special skills are so valuable in carrying out our mission and your gently used goods help alleviate budgetary constraints in providing necessary items to local families. To learn more, call 315-255-1703 or email jrossi@caphelps.org.
SHARE OUR MISSION: By sharing our mission you help us reach more families who can benefit from our services. Domestic violence victims will know where to turn which could mean the difference between life and death, struggling families will be able to better access resources to grow stronger and more resilient, together we can end food insecurity, provide opportunity, hope and make our community a better place. Social media is an easy and impactful way to get our message out and can be a powerful force.
Your donation today makes a world of difference tomorrow!
