December 2020 Grants Boost Food Program, Local Agencies

(January 2021) ACCORD Corporation, the Division of Social Services, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Fillmore Strong Food Program are among the organizations and efforts that benefitted from the most recent Allegany County Area Foundation grants.

The Allegany County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired received a grant to replace its aging computer, which is used for record keeping, client service, and communication with clients and funders. This grant was provided through ACAF’s Shear Fund.

The Foundation’s Shop With A Cop Fund boosted two efforts to brighten the holidays for children and families, providing grants for ACCORD’s Community Angels Holiday Assistance Program and the Division of Social Services Foster Care Christmas Party.

Both of these efforts provided gifts to families. Local law enforcement generously assisted Foster Care Party organizers with gift delivery and setting up drive through distribution.  The SWAC Fund was started in 2019 by the SWAC committee when the long-standing SWAC program in Wellsville ended (with the closing of Kmart). The fund focuses on supporting kids during the holiday season and continues to enjoy strong community support, including a generous annual donation from the Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Run with the support of the Fillmore Wesleyan Church, the Fillmore Strong food program prepares and delivers ready-to-eat meals across northern Allegany County to individuals in need who cannot easily access other means of food support.

The Fatherhood Connection is a new ACCORD program being offered in collaboration with the Allegany County Division of Social Services, Cattaraugus Community Action, ProAction of Steuben and Yates counties and the University of Buffalo. The Connection offers support, information and training to any parenting father, or father figure, and explores a variety of important topics, including child development, communication, anger management, blended families, legal matters, healthy relationships, and discipline vs punishment. For more information about the Fatherhood Connection, contact ACCORD at 585-268-7605.

Support for the Fillmore Strong and Fatherhood Connection activities came from ACAF’s Allegany Fund.