Community Action honored by Chamber for myriad of services to local residents

File photos: Ricky Standish, facilities manager a Community Action employee, opens up boxes with frozen chickens during a food distribution on a chilly morning on Jan. 22, 2024. Community Action has managed food distributions four more than years since the Covid pandemic hit.

ALBION – An organization which exists to help people in challenging situations is being honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with their Community Service Award.

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is under the leadership of Renee Hungerford, who the organization appreciates being recognized.

Renee Hungerford serves as executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

“I feel privileged to lead an agency that makes such a positive difference for our community,” Hungerford said. “Our dedicated staff truly care about the people we assist and are focused on giving people the hope, support and services they need to become self-sufficient and overcome the ravages of poverty. We are grateful to the volunteers and donors who support our agency and make what we do possible. I am thrilled that our agency is being recognized by the Orleans Chamber of Commerce and has given us the opportunity to inform the community about the important work we do.”

Community Action began 60 years ago, and has continued to grow and add programs and services to help needy families, while focusing on helping them become independent and self-sufficient.

Programs include ACT (helping youth ACT responsibly), Stone Soup Success/Food Rx (educating to prepare healthy meals), Child Care Resource and Referral, Early Head Start and Head Start, Weatherization and Energy Services, Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store, a Credit Recovery Program for Albion seniors, Emergency Services, holiday meals and gifts and the Eastern Orleans Community Center, which provides daily meals, a clothing depot and food giveaway.

At the agency’s annual in-service day this summer, officials reported that during the previous year Community Action served 4,021 individuals, a 28% increase over the previous year and 75% more than 2021. In their goal to fight hunger, 1,541 individuals utilized one of their three food pantries, 914 individuals utilized a pop-up pantry distribution, 314 individuals received 5,405 prepared meals at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley and 657 households received holiday meals.

In housing, another 311 individuals received assistance to avoid eviction and 129 individuals received assistance to avoid utility shut-off.

Head Start had 149 children enrolled, while 81 were in Early Head Start.

During the in-service event, Hungerford shared their goals looking ahead. She said their agency will make major improvements in many areas going forward, while continuing to focus on helping people become self-sufficient.