By Nicola Porto
Director of Engagement

On June 19, the African American Council of Churches (AACC) organized a celebration of Juneteenth by serving over 2,000 households in Dane County. Over the course of an afternoon, more than a hundred volunteers from 30 local churches came together to celebrate through united service. Considering the number of families served and volunteers involved, one would think an event like this took months of preparation… 

Yet, just two weeks prior to Juneteenth, Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen — Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and President of the AACC — put his plan in motion to gather in a big way to celebrate Juneteenth through a Giveaway.

In recent months, the AACC partnered with Lighthouse Church to establish the Psalm 46 Relief Fund “to assist families in our community that are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.” Thanks to the generosity of many, the fund has raised almost $400,000. On May 12, multiple AACC churches participated in a Simultaneous Day of Giving where they paid community members’ bills and distributed $50 gift cards. 

In response to this event, the AACC posted “We were able to bless so many people today. African American Churches across our city joined together to do the work of the Master. The need was so much greater than what we were able to provide.” 

Knowing the need was great, the AACC decided to come together again for a united event of giving on Juneteenth. Using gifts from the Psalm 46 Relief Fund, they purchased $60,000 in gift cards as well as hundreds of face masks and bottles of hand sanitizer to meet the needs of those in Dane County. Several AACC churches and local leaders gathered extra resources to add to the Giveaway including: Bibles, hygiene kits, and census and voter registration information.

Through their food pantry, Mt. Zion Baptist Church had an established partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank. Rev. Allen reached out about possible collaboration on this event and staff from Second Harvest were quick to respond and enthusiastically accepted the invitation to partner with the Giveaway. Through the event they generously contributed over 90,000 lbs of nutritious food along with their expertise executing mobile pantries.

Then, just over a week before Juneteenth, Collaboration Project was asked to partner with the event by coordinating volunteers and additional donations. In the week leading up to Juneteenth, individuals from Dane County signed up to serve over 220 volunteer hours as well as donate $3,000 in extra gift cards, masks, hand sanitizer, and more.

Days before the event, Allen connected with Dane County Transportation who agreed to distribute items to those unable to attend in person. Marcus shared his immense gratitude for the collaboration displayed through the event and “the willingness of so many people to sacrifice their time.” The AACC Juneteenth Giveaway was a beautiful picture of the Church uniting to serve others and celebrate our community.

We invite you to partner with us in telling stories that highlight how God is working in and through the local church by supporting Collaboration Project today.