From the left are Breann Titus - CAPCIL Volunteer Services Director, Katie Alexander - CAPCIL Agency Development Director, Scot May - Eaton Training and Employee Involvement Manager, Vladimir Salazar - Eaton Plant Manager, Alison Rumler-Gomez - CAPCIL Executive Director, Patti Becker - Eaton Human Resources Manager, and Becky Leamon - CAPCIL Senior Nutrition Director.

Eaton Charitable Fund contributes $25,000 to local senior program

[October 21, 2016]  Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL) would like to publicly thank Eaton Corporation for their generous contribution of $25,000.

Each year the Eaton Charitable Fund Contributes over $60,000 to local non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations can request grants to fund projects through this fund. The fund is open to organizations in the locations where Eaton has operations, such as Logan County.

CAPCIL’s Senior Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels) was one of the recipients for this year. CAPCIL serves 343 individuals annually for a total of 7,661 meals in a congregate setting and 25,562 home delivered meals to those who are home bound. The meals that CAPCIL provides allow seniors to maintain independence and remain in their homes longer and promotes a higher quality of life.

The Illinois State Budget impasse temporarily cut/delayed funding for the program, but because of a fiscally sound executive team, services continued without missing one day. This was done by tightening the food budget through standardized recipes and proper portion sizes, eliminating excess waste, utilizing a new Meals on Wheels delivery truck, and generous donations and contributions from the community. Becky Leamon, Director of the Senior Nutrition Program stated, “The operational costs of the Senior Nutrition Program exceed the revenue brought in with only partial funding from Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland. The generous support provided by Eaton Corporation allows us to reach many seniors in need of meals who may not have the financial means, knowledge, or physical capability to eat a nutritionally sound meal. We are so thankful to be one of the recipients of the Eaton Charitable Fund so that we can continue to address the causes and consequences of poverty today and implement poverty-fighting initiatives for tomorrow.”

As the Illinois State budget impasse continues for an undetermined amount of time, the importance and need for support is vital to the agency. Fundraising efforts and donations from businesses, organizations and/or community members allows CAPCIL to be able to provide the poverty fighting initiatives and vital social services used to boost the local economy and provide for those who are truly in need.

Executive Director of CAPCIL, Alison Rumler-Gomez, said “The work we have done to ensure the financial health of the Senior Nutrition Program has paid off, but there is still work to be done. With the support of generous donors like Eaton, we will now be able to fund additional program support for seniors through the Senior Nutrition Program. Socialization activities are instrumental in keeping our seniors self-sufficient and engaged. Senior Nutrition is more than offering a warm and nutritious meal, it is about offering a full and healthy life.”

In addition to these generous grants from Eaton Corporation, the local plant gives over $25,000 in contributions, including the donation of products, and program sponsorships throughout the community. Eaton Corporation employees also donate time and talents to these organizations, through Eaton sponsored events and through the donation of their time to the organizations in which they get involved. Scot May, training manager and employee involvement manager, has donated his time to the Hand Up Project offered through CAPCIL. The Hand Up Project works with individuals to become more employable by teaching interviewing skills, interpersonal skills, soft skills, resume writing, and the integrity of work.

CAPCIL is extremely grateful for the service that Eaton Corporations does for the Logan County community and the support they have provided to several of their programs.

It is the mission of CAPCIL, in partnership with communities in our service area, to empower persons with low income and the aged by creating and implementing poverty-fighting initiatives for those in crisis and those that endeavor a life of lasting independence.

For additional information please visit CAPCIL’s website at www.capcil.info, or by calling Katie Alexander at 217-732-2159.

[Katie Alexander
Agency Development Director/Fundraising Co-Chair
Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]