Helping Hanover

“The Hanover Area Council of Churches (HACC) has its roots in a shared vision of unity and service among local congregations. HACC was formed as a collaborative effort to address pressing needs within the Hanover community. What began as a modest initiative to foster cooperation among churches has since evolved into a cornerstone of support and outreach for the region.”

This excerpt from HACC’s Annual Report succinctly captures the unexpected growth and powerful impact of their programs, including their Changing Lives Shelter, Provide-a-Lunch, Meals on Wheels, a Clothing Bank, and Ruth’s Harvest. Seeking to “combat hunger and homelessness,” HACC’s staff diligently pursues excellence in all these programs, making a tangible difference for our neighbors in need.

Beginning as a cold-weather shelter, the Changing Lives Shelter now operates year-round and houses over 100 individuals each year. During their stay, guests can access a multitude of support systems, including employment assistance and case management. These help provide a path forward for these guests toward productive, independent lives.

Starting in 1983, the Provide-a-Lunch (PAL) program provides around 100 warm, nutritious meals each day. By partnering with local restaurants and through the efforts of nearly 30 church volunteers, PAL makes a real difference for those struggling with food insecurity.

HACC’s Meals-on-Wheels program was launched in 1970, distributing about 10 meals a day. Now, over 10,000 meals are delivered to around 45 clients annually, with volunteer drivers and runners offering their vehicles and time to uplift those in their community.

Their Clothing Bank provides free clothes to nearly 100 individuals each year as well as deeply discounted items to thousands of others. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, this program supports many struggling to find clothing that is weather-appropriate and well-fitting at a price they can afford.

Ruth’s Harvest focuses on overcoming child hunger in the community, providing weekend snacks and meals for students in need. HACC partners with multiple schools and provides over 5,000 packs of food each year.

HACC’s Clothing Bank

Enabling and Enhancing Impact

The CommunityAid Foundation is excited to support the work HACC is doing for our neighbors in need. They serve people across all of our focus areas (food, housing, and basic human needs), and their commitment to growing their programs demonstrates their long-term investment in their community.

Since 2023, we’ve provided over $50,000 in grants to magnify HACC’s impact and support their programs.

Last year, we funded two projects, including critical men’s restroom renovations in March and a transitional housing expansion in July. Both will help magnify the impact HACC has on its clients, the first by improving living conditions in the shelter, which reinforces the dignity of its guests, and the second by growing its capacity and its impact year over year.

HACC has also attended many of our LIFTS Workshops, which teach best practices, give deep insights into national trends, and are led by industry leaders. We’ve been able to support both Interim Executive Director Erika Gonzalez and Administrative Assistant Pricilla Pantoja with these workshops, elevating their capacity to carry their organization forward.

We’ve also been able to support them and our neighbors in need through our Care Card program. We provided these $300 worth of these store vouchers to supplement offerings at their Clothing Bank.

Finally, through our Donation Program, we’ve been able to help HACC convert unwanted and unneeded clothing and items into unrestricted funds that support their organization.

Our Support

Together, these programs have elevated HACC’s capacity and magnified their impact on our neighbors in need.

You can learn more about HACC on their website: https://hanoverareacouncilofchurches.org/. Interested in learning more about the organizations we support? You can do so here.