Organizational History

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• 2022-The Voluntary Action Center holds its first Strike Out Hunger Bowling Tournament Fundraiser.
• 2020-The Community Kitchen meal program was expanded to add dinner meals to the existing lunch meal service.
• 2016-The Voluntary Action Center was awarded the 2016 Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) Sterling Achievement Award for Homeless Outreach.  This is one of only five National Awards presented by the COSCDA annually.
  
• 2014-The Voluntary Action Center opens the Training Room, Laundry and Shower Facilities and expands the Community Kitchen program to serve lunch Monday-Friday.  
  
• 2014-The Voluntary Action Center holds its first Murder Mystery Signature Fundraiser.
  
• 2012-The Voluntary Action Center received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to expand programs and renovate existing buildings.  This grant was made possible through the sponsorship of the Gordon County Government.
  
• 2011-The Voluntary Action Center opened the Community Kitchen and served the first meal on June 8.  
  
• 2007-The Voluntary Action Center helped establish the Gordon County Community Services Network, which utilizes Charity Tracker for services tracking. 
  
• 1998-The Voluntary Action Center moved to its current location at 343 South Wall Street.
  
• 1975-The Voluntary Action Center began providing Christmas to kids and opened the Food Pantry.
• 1973-The Voluntary Action Center began providing emergency programs for low-income individuals and families, such as rent/mortgage and utility assistance.
  
• 1972-The Voluntary Action Center became a community clearing house for volunteers and funding.  The Thrift Store was opened to fund organizational operations.  
  
• 1972-The Voluntary Action Center began receiving donations from the Community Chest, which eventually became United Way of Gordon County.
  
• ​1971-Hand-Up, Inc. was founded and began operating as Voluntary Action Center (VAC).  The College Street facility was opened for operations.