Impact in Action

Since 1966, JCEO has helped transform lives across our community by offering the guidance, resources, and support people need to rise above hardship and achieve lasting independence.

15,697 people served in 2025

773 Unknown or Not Reported age.

  • Children were fed through JCEO pantries, received early childhood education through Head Start and Early Head Start, participated in Day Care programs, received Back-to-School supplies and summer camp scholarships, and so much more in 2024.

  • More than 7,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65 benefitted from JCEO services. They received groceries through our food pantries, applied for public assistance, participated in workforce development, received rides to medical appointments, and so much more in 2025.

  • Residents over 65 received health insurance counseling, found resources through information, referrals, and application assistance, found help through senior care and repair, received groceries through our food pantries, and so much more in 2025.

Multiple people exchanging a bowl with food, including leafy greens and a fried dough or bread, at an outdoor setting, possibly a food market or gathering.

  • In 2025, JCEO distributed over a million pounds of food to those in need across Clinton, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties.

    Of this, 1,140,673lbs were recovered from local grocery stores through the Feeding America Program.

    Food was distributed through our 14 Community Outreach Centers, and to a dozen independently operated pantries.

A smiling man is sitting in the driver's seat of a car, looking back and smiling at a woman sitting in the front passenger seat. The car's interior is beige, and through the windshield, trees and outdoor scenery are visible.

  • In 2025, JCEO Medical and Rural Transportation volunteers gave 9,318 free rides to and from medical appointments - the equivalent of 14,554 volunteer hours.

Two children wearing Santa hats sitting closely on a couch, greeting each other with smiley expressions during Christmas holiday.

  • In collaboration with the Christmas Bureau, Christmas Magic, and Holiday Helpers, 2,268 children received gifts for the holidays in 2025.

Child drawing colorful shapes on a large sheet of paper with markers, with a plastic bag of markers and colorful markers on the table.

  • In 2025, 62 registered daycare providers cared for 623 children.

An elderly couple sitting on a gray couch in a colorful living room, reviewing documents and discussing finances, with a table holding papers, a phone, a notebook, and a plant in front of them.

  • In 2025, JCEO’s Senior Outreach Program provided Health Insurance Information and Counseling to seniors during open enrollment.

A meal featuring a roasted turkey garnished with leafy greens on a silver platter, serving mashed potatoes with herbs in a white bowl, stuffing in a white bowl, and a small orange pumpkin on a dark wooden table.

  • 1,438 people got to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in 2024 through our Thanksgiving Basket program.

Green and ripening tomatoes growing on a vine inside a JCEO greenhouse with soil and wooden framing.

  • Our greenhouses produced 2,356 pounds of fresh produce for our food pantries. They also served as a location for “Seed to Supper” classes, teaching people how to plan, grow, harvest, and prepare their own garden vegetables on a budget.

Top-down view of a child's hands coloring with a pink crayon on an orange sheet of paper, surrounded by school supplies including scissors, markers, glue, and paper in a classroom setting.

  • In 2025, 537 local children received back to school supplies, ensuring they start the school year off on the right foot.

Person holding a handful of coins, wearing a striped gray and black sweater.

  • In 2025, 6.5% of our budget was spent on management and general expenses, meaning $0.93 out of every $1.00 at JCEO was spent directly on program services.

    Minimum overhead, maximum impact.

59 Years of Action!

Incorporated as a private nonprofit in 1966, JCEO completed its 59th year of providing services to the community in 2025.

Community Action Huggy Heart Logo

It’s not just about the numbers.

Numbers can’t show you the grin on a kindergartener’s face when they get what they asked for on Christmas day, or the tears of relief cried by a retired senior realizing she doesn’t have to ration meals anymore. Numbers can’t reflect the full ripple effect of these services on the community.

Learn more about our impact by reading our Annual Reports or by reading our Impact in Action stories.

Group of ten JCEO board members holding signs that read I heart 'Community Action'.