Area Churches Together Serving Acts Inc

Acts operates three food programs. The food pantry is open five days a week to help clients who are food insecure. The senior food program operates the third saturday of every month and serves approximately 348 qualified seniors with a weeks worth of supplemental food (food for 21 meals per week). Many seniors are living on less than $800 a month and may struggle to meet food, medical and housing expenses. The monthly community food distributions are held in rural, underserved areas of aiken county in order to meet the needs of individuals and families who have limited access to services and little to no transportation. The monthly food distributions occur in ridge spring, oakwood-windsor, new ellenton, wagener, perry and salley. All food program participants meet income eligibility guidelines and receive a weeks worth of food based on family size. Acts serves approximately 1,900 - 2,000 individuals with food assistance each month. Acts clients who need clothing receive clothing vouchers to be used in the acts resale stores monday through friday and within two weeks of receiving the voucher. Our program guidelines state that clothing vouchers can be provided four times a year, typically during change in season. In 2024, 11,415 households (representing 23,310 individuals) received a week's worth of supplemental food, accounting for 489,510 meals.

Acts provides emergency utility assistance including utility payments, portable fans and portable electric heaters to individuals and families in need of supplemental assistance. When it is established that the client is qualified, utility companies are contacted to verify the bill and overdue status. Payment pledges to the utility companies are made in partnership with the client who pays a portion of the bill, thus avoiding the disconnection of service for the client. In 2024, the organization provided utility assistance for 1,647 homes.

The acts medical assistance program provides financial assistance for prescriptions, medical and dental visits and procedures, medical equipment and other medical necessities for qualified clients. Clients must have a doctors written prescription for medical and refill authorizations. Clients must make and attend an appointment for a visit or procedures within a preset period. Most clients are the working poor who do not have medical or health insurance and the elderly living on social security with incomes less than $800/month. Clients are interviewed to determine overall needs. No cash is provided to the clients; rather, payment is sent directly to the service provider.