Community Support, Activate!

Since 2013, the CommunityAid Foundation has been blessed to partner with Union-Snyder Community Action Agency (Union-Snyder CAA) as we work together for our neighbors in need.

Union-Synder CAA has been fighting generational poverty since 1979. Carrying on the legacies of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Union-Snyder CAA is making a growing and tangible difference in the lives of the most vulnerable through critical human service programs and basic needs support systems.

Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, Union-Snyder CAA specifically focuses on Union and Snyder Counties and provides local aid for local needs. They partner with over 100 regional organizations, churches, businesses, schools, and agencies, “envisioning a future where all residents will have equal opportunity to reach their full social, civic, and economic potential.”

Union-Snyder CAA’s Food Services

A Holistic Approach to Help

Union-Snyder CAA provides a variety of services and support systems to holistically serve their community, primarily focusing on housing and food insecurity.

Shelter is a fundamental need for basic survival. To combat rising homelessness, Union-Snyder CAA has developed distinct but mutually supportive programs that meet those in need where they are.

Their approach starts with homelessness prevention. Union-Synder CAA has case managers that help determine alternative housing options for those facing eviction. In certain circumstances, they even provide rent assistance to families and individuals, buying them more time. Last year, they helped 77 families avoid eviction and 2 others avoid foreclosure.

Union-Synder CAA also provides emergency shelter by offering temporary housing funds. These funds are a lifeline for those who have already been evicted, enabling them to stay for a short time at local hotels or motels while they search for a more permanent solution.

For those who meet HUD’s definition of homelessness, Union-Synder CAA has a rapid rehousing program, which provides transitional housing and then seeks to help families and individuals find permanent housing within 30 days. They helped 66 families obtain safe and affordable housing last year.

In total, they provided over 10,000 housing services in 2025 to 4,629 individuals. This includes other programs, like their energy customer assistance program, which kept the lights or gas on for over 300 struggling families.

Union-Snyder CAA has developed a similar, multifaceted approach called the Food Hub to meet the needs of those struggling with food insecurity. These programs coordinate the efforts of multiple organizations to make the biggest impact possible. Last year, they provided over 15,000 food-related services to 2,619 families in need.

Emergency food assistance, including shelf-stable items, fresh foods, and prepared meals, is available to those in need through three food pantries. These provide local access to both Union-Synder CAA and walk-in customers. Emergency food was provided to over 200 different hungry families in 2025.

Union-Synder CAA also supports food access programs at other locations throughout the region. It accomplishes this food redistribution by accepting community donations and sharing them with other organizations within the Union-Snyder Hunger Coalition.

Together with the Miller Center for Recreation & Wellness, Union-Snyder CAA also delivers nutrition security initiatives, including access to nutritious foods and educational programs. These range from adult nutrition classes to activities for summer camp attendees.

Additionally, Union-Snyder CAA provides budgeting classes; distributes cleaning supplies, diapers, and feminine hygiene products; and provides transportation support through gas cards. All of these programs, along with their focused initiatives for housing and food, enable Union-Snyder CAA to make a real difference for thousands of our neighbors in need.

A Care Card in Action

Caring for the Community, Together

The CommunityAid Foundation is elated to support the important work that Union-Snyder CAA is doing every day. They play a crucial role in Union and Snyder Counties, and together, we are making a real difference for our neighbors in need.

Susie Weller, Union-Snyder CAA’s executive director, shared the story of a family who lost their home and most of their belongings in a fire. Through Union-Snyder CAA’s personal connection with the family and through our Care Card program, we were able to support them when they needed it the most.

“After her rental caught fire, Lynn* (customer name changed to protect privacy) found herself and her teenagers in a hotel room with few belongings. She came to CAA looking for support in a time of crisis, and thanks to CommunityAid funding, her case manager was able to connect her with new housing, Care Cards, and lots of additional resources to support her family.

Over the next few months, Lynn was able to increase her income through a better-paying job and even bought a dependable car to get her to work. Lynn's goal when she entered our programs was to be self-sufficient, and by the end of 2025 that goal was met.”

Beyond Care Cards, we’ve been able to provide support through a few of our other programs, including our bin program, LIFTS workshops, and grant program.

Our donation program enables organizations to collect clothing and other items to exchange for undesignated funds. Union-Snyder CAA has four bins throughout Union and Snyder Counties. Susie shared, “The flexibility we have with these dollars allows us to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to support the people who need it most.”

We also offer quarterly LIFTS Workshops, which provide best practices to grow organizational capacity and magnify impact. These workshops benefit both staff members and constituents, who receive “more coordinated support, clearer pathways to resources, and stronger long-term solutions.” Union-Snyder was one of our pilot participants when we launched LIFTS in 2022, and they continue to consistently attend and glean insights from industry leaders.

Our Support

The Foundation has multiple grant types to meet the ever-changing needs of local organizations. These needs range from emergency funds, met by our Relief Grant, to capital campaigns, supported through our 10X Grant. We’ve been able to provide over $50,000 in grant funds since 2023 to help Union-Snyder expand their organizational impact. Last year, we provided $10,000 to help them overcome funding cuts from government agencies.

We’re blessed to partner with Union-Snyder CAA and support their life-changing programs for our neighbors in need. You can learn more about them and their programs at https://www.union-snydercaa.org/. Interested in hearing about other organizations we support? You can do so here.