COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE
SERVICES & PROGRAMS
The services of the Community Action Committee primarily serve neighbors residing in Sewanee and the Sewanee area communities of Sherwood, Midway, Jump Off and Deep Woods. CAC services, such as the food pantry and utility assistance, may be extended to residents of Grundy County and the greater Franklin County area at the discretion of the director.
FOOD PANTRY
The CAC Food Pantry is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
The food pantry serves a number of community neighbors every day. Neighbors in need of assistance are welcome to stop by anytime during open hours to stock up on food and other supplies that the food pantry may have available. Most of CAC's food supply comes from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The food pantry also receives food donations from Kroger, the South Cumberland Farmers Market, Sewanee Dining, St. Andrew’s Sewanee School, St. James Episcopal Church, and many other organizations. Non-perishable food donations are always appreciated, and can be dropped off anytime in the donation cabinet located on the CAC porch.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Utility Assistance Program delivers essential aid to neighbors during emergency situations by providing financial assistance for electricity, water, and rent expenses. Financial assistance is offered on a limited basis and determined individually, based on each neighbor’s unique circumstances. More details are provided in the “Financial Assistance Protocol for the Community Action Committee” linked below.
COMMUNITY MEALS
CAC hosts a free community meal with the help of Food with Friends through The University of the South. The community meals are an effort completely planned and executed by the CAC student leaders. The meals are hosted in Kennerly Hall at the Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul at 12:00 PM on the last Friday of each month. All are invited to join the free lunch including CAC neighbors, University faculty and staff, students, and all community members! This is an amazing opportunity to meet new people and make lasting connections with those who share a deep appreciation for this community.
FARM 2 TABLE
The Farm 2 Table Program is a partnership between CAC and the South Cumberland Farmers Market. Through this program, farmers market customers are able to make donations to CAC and those donations are used to purchase fresh produce for the food pantry directly from the farmers. On average, CAC receives about $30.00 a week in donations from market customers. In addition to monetary donations, CAC receives produce donations from Dayspring Farm, Community of St. Mary, and other local gardeners.
KITCHEN 2 TABLE
CAC partners with the McClurg Dining Hall at the University of the South for the Kitchen 2 Table Program. Kitchen 2 Table has been a partnership since 2020, and the program receives unused portions from the dining hall and repackages them into freezer safe, microwaveable meals. On average, the food donations create 500 meals a month for CAC to share with their neighbors. These meals are stored at CAC and then distributed to neighbors through the pantry, and several community partners who pick up meals for their organizations. These community partners include, but are not limited to Monteagle Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Wings of Hope Widows Ministry, Trinity Episcopal Food Pantry, Isaiah 117 House, Littell-Partin Center, and the Franklin County Senior Center.