The Hoosick Area Church Association (HACA) is turning to the public for financial help as it deals with a budget shortfall while also seeking ideas for its future. Since the 1970s the HACA Food Pantry has provided critical service to Hoosick area families. [private] In the last 15 years additional services have been added such as the VITA volunteer income tax program; Back 2 School Boost school supply program; Emergency services; Senior Home Food Delivery program; Holiday food boxes; and most recently, the Weekend Backpack program which sends home backpacks on the weekends during the school year to kids, so they can have healthy, nourishing food over the weekend.
With a decline in the local corporate presence and the closure of many restaurants and food establishments which precluded Taste of Hoosick, donations have declined substantially. HACA has, in the past, used the funds from the Stewart’s Holiday Match Grant to support a big part of the school supply purchases. This year those funds were used to support the kick-off of the new Weekend Backpack project.
“We need the community’s help to continue to provide these critical services,” said Director, Dianne Hosterman.
The HACA quarterly Board meeting will be held at the HACA Ministry Center at 26 John Street, on June 30 at 7 pm. It is open to the public. [/private]