In this day and age, it can be difficult to find and focus on the positive things happening in our communities and the world. We are exposed on a daily basis to over stimulation and an over saturation of constantly flowing information, good and bad, to an extent that humans have not experienced before. It sure is loud out there, but if we reign in our focus to a local level and, as Mr. Rogers said, “…look for the helpers…”, you will be amazed at what good is going on around you amidst the chaos.
One such source of good and decent is found in the South Shore Community Action Council. The SSCAC is a private 501(c)(3), non-profit Community Action Agency -one of 23 in Massachusetts and over 1,000 nationwide. The SSCAC mission statement is, “To eliminate poverty on the South Shore by coordinating, strengthening, and supplementing community efforts to empower and support individuals and families so they can live in decency and with dignity, realize their full potential, and participate to the extent of their capabilities in all that our communities have to offer.”
To back up this incredibly powerful and moving mission statement SSCAC has a team of dedicated, talented, and altruistic employees and volunteers that work tirelessly to ensure that people in our communities are supported in their times of need or where they may lack support and resources. Last year SSCAC employed 240 people and had 696 volunteers. In 2024 $33,075,620.00 program and service dollars were used by SSCAC on behalf of low-income residents of all ages. 28,970 residents were served, 322,627 meals were provided, and 14,459 residents were kept warm. With thirteen assistance programs and services available, from providing food over summer break to children with food insecurity to free assistance filing income taxes, SSCAC is able to make a significant and much needed positive, local impact.
The South Shore Community Action Council was founded in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act. This year SSCAC is celebrating its 60th birthday and six decades of local success with support and direction from the state as well as federal advocacy from the National Community Action Foundation. SSCAC branches out its services and programs throughout the state, covering as many as 38 towns for various assistance programs and as many as 50 towns for elderly services.
One of the most utilized services the SSCAC offers is their Food Resource Program. Over 450,000 pounds of fresh and non-perishable food items were gathered last year to provide meals and alleviate food insecurity on the South Shore, Cape, and Islands. They supplied 63 food pantries, schools, and Councils on Aging as well as other various food emergency assistance providers. SSCAC CEO, Lisa Spencer, says that donations from local farms, agencies, organizations, and individuals keep the supply of food flowing. “We get a lot of our fresh food from nearby Plymouth County Farm. They are very generous in donating fresh and local food. We also get food from the Greater Boston Food Bank and other larger food producers. But we also accept donations of non-perishable goods. We even have a rolling cart in the front office that you can drop your donations on.” In addition to donations, the SSCAC benefits greatly from food drives and fundraisers. “We get a lot of supplies when organizations do food drives for us. We never have enough of the non-perishable items, so anything coming in for the food warehouse is appreciated and needed,” says Spencer.
It is not just food that SSCAC provides to the community. Other programs and services offered include Home Energy Assistance or Fuel Assistance, Weatherization of Houses, Heating System Repair and Replacement (HEARTWAP), Appliance Management, Early Education and Childcare, Transportation, South Shore Family Network, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Consumer Aid, and Emergency Assistance.
“We offer various services that enable independence and participation in the community,” says Spencer. Services are not only offered to the South Shore area but as far as the Cape and Islands and as far west as Attleboro. One of the most used programs offered is the SSCAC Transportation Program. In 2024, 90,788 trips were provided around the South Shore and beyond. “We have 38 vehicles that transport elderly or disabled individuals who can’t otherwise drive themselves. Even if the town they live in offers transportation within town boundaries but not out of town boundaries then we can offer to take them, door to door, where they need to go regardless of where it is.”
Another leading program offered by SSCAC is the Fuel Assistance Program. Residents can apply online to qualify for assistance in paying to heat their homes during the winter months. In 2024, 14,459 residents were kept warm through $9,950,782.00 in direct payments made by SSCAC to local heating companies. Spencer explains that paying heating bills is just one of the ways SSCAC can help with keeping homes and livings spaces safe and inhabitable during the winter months. “We can also help you maintain and even replace your heating system at no cost to the individual. We can get your heating system inspected, maintained, and replaced if needed. We put over a million dollars into heating system repair and installations last year.”
It is not just home maintenance offered by SSCAC. Outside of the home SSCAC offers the South Shore Early Education program. Last year 588 children in the state received care through the Early Education Program. “We offer Head Start, Early Start, and state funded preschool and before and after school programs for children in Plymouth, Marshfield, Wareham, and Cape Cod,” says Spencer, “This includes their daily meals, bus transportation, and any needed health screenings. We offer this at no cost to families.”
One of the SSCAC’s most used programs is their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. “Last year we got tax payer returns for over 600 people,” says Spencer, “This was over a million dollars in tax refunds for locals which makes a big difference in people’s lives. We have one staff tax accountant and the rest are volunteer tax experts who donate their time to help people file their taxes.” In addition to helping community members save money on taxes, the SSCAC also offers Consumer Aid. This free consumer education and mediation program helped 519 Plymouth County households avoid costly court resolution valued at $136,571.00.
In spite of a seemingly endless list of offerings and funding, Spencer explains that some programs are facing cuts this year. “Our funding for Emergency Services this year was cut significantly. This is money used to help people pay their rent or mortgage in times of crisis and avoid food insecurity, foreclosure, eviction, and utility shut offs. Unfortunately, we do not know how much of this service we will be able to offer now due to government cuts in our funding for that. Our funds for this program are very limited right now.” Spencer goes on to explain that funding can also come through donations and fundraisers. One of the most impactful ways the community can help the SSCAC, however, is through donations of time and skill.
Last year SSCAC had 11,165 hours donated by their nearly 700 volunteers. Spencer explains the crucial role volunteers play, “We have individuals who show up regularly to volunteer -often retirees, but also families. Groups can also help out. We often have Scouts volunteer and other organizations looking for community service opportunities. We could not do any of this without our volunteers.” In addition to volunteers SSCAC also provides work opportunities with 239 local employees. “We are always looking for community members to offer their time, services, and expertise,” says Spencer, “and applications can be found on our website for anyone interested in applying.”
The SSCAC is also playing an ongoing and crucial role in assisting residents of the towns Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston. A look at a few of the local service reports (these are not full reports) shows the following:
Plympton:
57 residents received Home Energy Assistance
5 residents received Energy Conservation
2 children received South Shore Early Education
3,080 pounds of food was provided to Plympton residents
Halifax:
370 received Home Energy Assistance
15 residents received Transportation Services
4,079 pounds of food was provided to Halifax residents
121 children benefited from the South Shore Family Network
13 households received Consumer Aid
Kingston:
376 residents received Home Energy Assistance
14 children received South Shore Early Education
41,472 pounds of food was provided to Kingston residents
17 residents use Transportation Services
22 residents received income tax assistance
The SSCAC plays an undeniable role in the benefit, stabilization, and growth of our community. People from all walks of life, from senior veterans to preschoolers, and single mothers to large families needing help through unemployment, can find some of their burdens alleviated by the services and programs of the SSCAC. Hardship is never planned and can strike anyone, at any time. It is crucial that those of us who have excess and abilities to offer do so when and how we can. When the most vulnerable among us are supported and helped back on the path to self-sustainability we all benefit with a strengthened community. As long as people on the South Shore are willing to look beyond themselves and offer their time and money -to be “the helpers” in our community, the SSCAC will continue to positively impact thousands of lives of children, seniors, individuals, and families across the South Shore, Cape, and Islands. We may not be able to save the whole world, but we can save each other in little ways right here at home.
Two paragraphs on services -local town reports highlighted as well as overall impact: Food/heat/transportation/ head start/emergency funds (losing funding for this -mortgage, rents) 3. Volunteers and donations needed 4.WE are really only successful when the most vulnerable in our community are alleviated and thrive and when hardship strikes that community bands together for the collective good.
Visit: Welcome To SSCAC | Providing Access To Opportunity for more information on how you can apply for assistance or donate and volunteer.