Troy, NY – May 5, 2014 – The month of May is nationally recognized as Community Action Month, which recognizes the contributions of the 1,100+ Community Action agencies serving their communities across the country. This May, CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) is sending out its staff of over 250 to participate in a variety of community service projects, including gardening at the Capital District Community Gardens, participating in park and neighborhood clean-ups, and preparing and serving food at the Bethany @ Unity Soup Kitchen in Troy.

This is the second year that CEO is using this month-long community service model. In years past, the organization had celebrated with events of a different nature, including a “Spring Fling” neighborhood block party.

“Over the past several years, it has become increasingly evident that Community Action is much more than the work we do each day,” says Katie Fike, Director of Strategic Planning for CEO.  “As an organization, our staff recognize the needs that exist within our community and see it as part of our mission to spread the seeds of Community Action through our own volunteer efforts.  In this way, we are maximizing the efforts of our community in support of our many community partners, like Ronald McDonald House, Capital District Community Gardens and Unity House.”

In light of Community Action’s 50^th Anniversary, CEO will also be hosting the New York State Community Action Association’s “From Poverty to Opportunity Tour” on May 27^th. It will be a one-day conference promoting the use of storytelling as a marketing tool for non-profits. The conference will be open to the public.

For more information on CEO’s Community Action Month activities, please contact Katie Fike, Director of Strategic Planning, at kfike@ceo-cap.org or 518.272.6012 x 262. For more information regarding the NYSCAA “From Poverty to Opportunity Tour,” please visit: http://nyspovertytour.org/