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 Local Non-profit Community Action Partnership of
Central Illinois (CAPCIL) has encouraged volunteerism from its
inception however, in recent years has become a focal point. CAPCIL
volunteers can assist in several agency programs ranging from
administration, Head Start classrooms, thrift store, delivering
meals, stocking the food pantry to even driving customers to medical
appointments. Agency Volunteers consist of business representatives,
church members, government officials, students, and community
service participants. Studies show that volunteering gives
opportunities for people to learn new skills, interact in different
environments and expand their network. Giving back is also
beneficial to a person’s mental and physical health by keeping them
active and developing a more positive outlook on life.
With the introduction of CAPCIL’s Dignity Aisle Food Pantry Co-op in
September of 2017, customers received a shopping pass to the co-op
each week for volunteering. The agency prioritizes the prevention of
poverty and works to fight the causes of the poverty cycle. The
Co-op allows the agency to help the customer in more than one way.
By encouraging customers to volunteer, they learn about integrity of
work, importance of skill development, and the ability to interact
with a new sphere of influence. At the conclusion of their hours,
volunteers can use their earned shopping pass to provide food for
their household and/or items from our Thrift Store. This structure
cuts down on waste as customers can make their own selections,
teaches them budgeting skills with an inventory point system and
supplements their weekly income.
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Since the start of the Food Pantry Co-op, volunteers donated over
154,500 hours to CAPCIL making a $515,483 financial impact. Regardless of
whether the volunteers have been court ordered community service or business
professionals, each contribution of time has been valued and appreciated. If you
are interested in volunteering or more information about CAPCIL’s programming
visit their website at www.capcil.info or by calling the Corporate Office at
217-732-2159. Like them on Facebook to follow news and updates.
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.
[Breann Titus
Director of Agency Development
Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]
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