What’s The GVAC All About? And How Can You Help?

 by Jerry Vaughan, Grain Valley Assistance Council Board Member
 

     The Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) is a community services organization which was founded in 1994 by a group of concerned citizens.  The original purpose of the GVAC was and continues to be to provide support and counsel to those families and individuals in the Grain Valley community who are less fortunate.
     Over 700 families and more than 1,200 children are helped by the GVAC every year.  The services provided to our clients are quite varied according to their need, but in this holiday and COVID season the food pantry is being stretched to the max. 
     With limited school attendance due to the pandemic, food drives through the schools are at a minimum of what they normally provide.
     That’s where you come in.  Below is a list of the most needed items for the pantry so that the GVAC can continue to make food one less thing for families to worry about:

Cereal
Canned Fruit
Canned Vegetables
Spaghetti and Noodles
Pancake Mix
Syrup
Jelly
Toilet Paper
Instant Potatoes
Corn Muffin Mix
Rice or Noodle Side Dishes
Pork and Beans
Dry Beans – Pinto or Navy
Chili Seasoning Packets
Tomato Sauce
Saltine Crackers
Spaghetti O’s
Canned Ravioli
Ramen Noodles
Instant Oatmeal
Mac and Cheese
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     The best location to drop off food items would be the Grain Valley Community Center during their regular hours.  The GVAC has a barrel just inside the Community Center lobby, and pick-ups are done at least once a week.  An alternative would be to drop items at the GVAC directly, but with the current restrictions you cannot bring the items inside the building. 
     Our location is 513 Gregg St. in Grain Valley, just around the corner from the Post Office.  We are open on Wednesdays from 9 to 12 and 1 to 4, and our phone number is 816.355.0328.  Pull up to the curb and let them know you are there, so that someone can come out to receive your donations.
And monetary donations are always helpful.  Our mailing address is GVAC, PO Box 262, GVMO 64029.
     The GVAC is an affiliate of the Community Services League, which was founded in 1916 by former First Lady Bess Truman.  CSL is both the largest and longest-serving social service provider in the metro area, and serves all of eastern Jackson County through its 15 locations including Grain Valley. 
     Our affiliation with CSL gives the GVAC and our clients access to many more goods and services, while assuring our supporters that all funds and nearly all donated goods remain IN Grain Valley, FOR Grain Valley.
     Yours truly, Jerry Vaughan, GVAC Board Member