Friday | February 2, 2024
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Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency (COCAA) will soon assist more local families thanks to a grant from the Central Community Foundation. 

The $2,000 grant will help Payne County residents with housing and utility assistance, a frequently requested need through COCAA.

“In 2023, we had 169 online applications for assistance,” said Cory Swearingen, COCAA grants manager. “Due to lack of funding in 2023, we have only been able to assist 14 households with utility assistance.”

COCAA serves low-income households in six counties, including Payne County, through various programs and services including food, clothing, utility, housing, transportation and prescription assistance. 

The Central Community Foundation provides grants through the Operation Round Up program at Central Rural Electric Cooperative. Members of CREC can round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar to help organizations and residents in need throughout Central’s seven-county service area. You can find more information about the Central Community Foundation by visiting mycentral.foundation.

From left to right: John Chaffin, COCAA board member; Cory Swearingen, COCAA grants manager, Donna Dollins, Central Community Foundation board member, Mandi Quade, Payne County resource development coordinator, Samantha Robinson, COCAA county manager, Tracy Izell, COCAA executive director, and Chris Reding, COCAA president.
From left to right: John Chaffin, COCAA board member; Cory Swearingen, COCAA grants manager, Donna Dollins, Central Community Foundation board member, Mandi Quade, Payne County resource development coordinator, Samantha Robinson, COCAA county manager, Tracy Izell, COCAA executive director, and Chris Reding, COCAA president.