Voluntary Action Center

Voluntary Action Center VAC's Mission: Responding to the immediate basic needs of individuals and families in our community.

Services
VAC provides financial assistance with basic and emergency needs to low-income people in Boone County. Examples of these basic emergency services include:

• Basic needs & health/wellness: prescription medications, medical or dental co-pays, emergency food, hygiene items, baby formula, and car seats for newborns

• Employment: gas for work, minor auto repair for the employed, required wor

k uniforms, Missouri birth certificates, ID’s, and driver’s licenses

• Housing: emergency motel stays, rental assistance, and air conditioner exchange

Programs
VAC’s seasonal programs include:
• Back to School Fair - backpacks & school supplies
• Holiday Program
• Lunch in the Park
• Summer Fan Program

Services at the Cindy Mustard Resource Center will close at 3pm on Wednesday, August 26th. We will reopen Thursday, Augu...
08/25/2026

Services at the Cindy Mustard Resource Center will close at 3pm on Wednesday, August 26th. We will reopen Thursday, August 27th at 9am.

Help Inspire Creativity at the VAC Opportunity Campus! We’re seeking donations of arts and crafts supplies for our guest...
08/24/2026

Help Inspire Creativity at the VAC Opportunity Campus!
We’re seeking donations of arts and crafts supplies for our guests, including:
Paper, sketchbooks, and coloring books
Crayons, markers, pencils, and pens
Paint, brushes, palettes, and canvases
Glue, scissors, yarn, and ribbon
Beads, stickers, stamps, and modeling clay
Craft kits and storage organizers
No glitter, please
Anything and everything is appreciated!

📞 Call Jay Mahaney, Volunteer Coordinator, at 573-397-7163 or email [email protected] to coordinate drop off.

Columbia's Flavor Rig stopped by the VAC Opportunity Campus last night and donated 500 tacos! We are grateful for your s...
08/21/2026

Columbia's Flavor Rig stopped by the VAC Opportunity Campus last night and donated 500 tacos! We are grateful for your support in our community. Thank you!

08/20/2026

School starts next week! Make sure your student has everything they need to be ready for a strong start! M-F 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Help shape our community's strategic plan on homelessness. Your voice matters. Join us in a roundtable discussion or sh...
08/20/2026

Help shape our community's strategic plan on homelessness. Your voice matters. Join us in a roundtable discussion or share your input online. Dinner and childcare provided. https://forms.gle/m2yUWcb5CEsbpett5

08/12/2026

Based on the National Weather Service forecast for overnight temperatures at or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the New Day Columbia overnight cooling center will be open tonight (Wednesday) 08.12.2026 through (Saturday) 08.15.2026 from 7:00pm-7:00am.

The overnight cooling center serves as a refuge of last resort. As capacity allows, persons who are eligible for overnight shelter at VAC's Waypoint and/or Salvation Army Harbor House will be directed to those resources.

ARRIVAL TIME FRAME: 6:30pm-9:15pm

· There will be no admittance after 9:15pm.

Address: 1304 Bowling St., Columbia, MO, 65201

We were excited to host the Columbia Chamber of Commerce leadership team and board and especially the new President and ...
08/10/2026

We were excited to host the Columbia Chamber of Commerce leadership team and board and especially the new President and CEO, Abdul Abdullah, for a tour last week. Thank you for such a big turnout!

Thanks to a grant from Missouri United Methodist Church, we had The Opportunity Band play a concert in our vestibule on ...
08/10/2026

Thanks to a grant from Missouri United Methodist Church, we had The Opportunity Band play a concert in our vestibule on Friday night. The opportunity to hear live music can sure make you feel good. Know a band that would like to play? Please contact us by messenger.

08/10/2026

🍓 Are you or your small group looking for a way to offer community service monthly? Do you love peanut butter & jelly? Then have we got a deal for you!!!

🥪 Our team member Margaret has begun serving simple sandwiches, chips, and fruit at New Day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We'd connect you to her and help you figure out what day works best for you!

🍇 You can purchase the ingredients & make the sandwiches, then wrap individually. If you'd like to also donate some fresh fruit and/or chips, we'd be glad to say yes! Please give us a holler if you are interested!

🩵 Thanks for your support! 🩵

Address

1300 Bowling Street
Columbia, MO
65201

Telephone

+15738742273

Website

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