Community Action Center

At Community Action Center (CAC), we strive to meet our neighbors’ most basic needs through resources, advocacy, and volunteer effort. In short, we promote a healthy, caring, and just community for all. And, we humbly ask for your support.

The increased cost of living, higher than ever housing and rental rates, and a tight housing market continue to strain the well-being of our collective community. 

Because of your ongoing support and responsiveness to community needs, CAC balances and keeps up, offering flexibility and timely interventions to meet our neighbors where they're at. Here are just some of our core programs and resources:

• Food Access: CAC's network of three food shelves covers much of Rice County. This year we will distribute more than two million pounds of healthy, fresh, and culturally specific food and 300,000 diapers. One in five residents of Rice County access food at CAC's food shelves.
• Housing Solutions: We believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Through grant support and carefully honed relationships and partnerships within Rice County, CAC offers assistance with eviction prevention, landlord advocacy, crisis management, and long-term housing solutions for addressing homelessness. CAC's community-centered housing development -- Hillcrest Village -- has quickly become a nationwide model for its innovative process and design for addressing homelessness and climate change in a shared community effort. 
• Recovery Support: Connection and belonging. These are key element to CAC's recovery support. Whether individuals are currently using or in recovery, they can find help at CAC. From peer recovery support to referrals to chemical health assessments and funding for emergencies, CAC offers care and guidance in a safe, non-judgmental space.
• Customized Resources: CAC recognizes each person's needs are unique. Our walk-in resource centers in Northfield and Faribault are designed to serve each individual in meaningful ways. Our staff are dedicated to building trust and relationships with community members, taking the utmost care to remain confidential, responsive, and kind in each interaction.  
• Leadership: A vibrant and engaged Community Advocacy Council represents current and former participants of CAC that provide true leadership and voice in hiring, program development, and service improvements. CAC is person-centered and solidarity-focused from the ground up.
• Volunteers: CAC volunteers show up every single day to help deliver assistance wherever needed. Their support is equivalent to seven full-time paid staff!

From volunteers to donations to program-specific support, CAC's vitality depends on YOU. Give generously, whenever you can, however you can -- and especially today during Give to the Max. CAC is grateful to have you as partners in living out our mission. Here's how to contribute:

• Donate on the GiveMN website below (fees applied to CAC)
• Donate directly on CAC's website
• Send a check to: CAC, Administration Office, 1651 Jefferson Parkway Suite HS-200, Northfield, MN 55057

Thank you for making a difference today!