To help address hunger and homelessness in Alamance County, Allied Churches of Alamance County, Inc. (ACAC) maintains an Emergency Shelter, Empowerment Center and a Community Kitchen (Joe’s Diner) to meet the basic needs of shelter guests and community members. ACAC’s Food Service programs are free of charge and open to all who are hungry, without restriction. The programs work to help prevent homelessness for community members who are forced to choose between paying their bills and feeding themselves or their families.
ACAC’s shelter is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides temporary shelter stays for men, women, and children, with lodging for single guests and more private spaces for families. On average, 45 people per night are housed in the ACAC Emergency Shelter. Support for shelter guests is provided in the form of specialized case management for guidance in obtaining long-term housing. ACAC works with several community partners to provide support services to shelter guests during their stay, and continued support once they have exited the shelter. Local partner agencies have helped provide mental health counseling, employment support, and other wrap-around services to ACAC’s guests.