On Friday, November 21st, EOAC launched something new—something powerful. Our entire organization stepped away from our daily routines and stepped into service across the Heart of Texas for our first-ever EOAC All Staff Volunteer Day.
For one day, our offices, classrooms, and worksites looked a little different. Instead of gathering around desks, we gathered in food pantries, thrift stores, early childhood centers, community gardens, and nonprofit hubs throughout Waco. More than 170 EOAC staff volunteered shoulder-to-shoulder with the partners we collaborate with all year long, living out our mission in a tangible and deeply meaningful way.
And the theme of the day was simple: gratitude.
Grateful for Our Staff
To every EOAC employee who showed up ready to work, ready to learn, and ready to serve—thank you.
Your energy was felt from the moment we kicked off with a pep rally–style tailgate at our Central Office, complete with breakfast tacos and a shared excitement for the day ahead. Watching you pour into our community reminded us all why EOAC is more than an organization—we’re a family committed to strengthening families.
Throughout the day, staff experienced firsthand the work our community partners do every single day. One staff member shared:
“I really enjoyed Urban REAP (Mission Waco) and what they do there. A teacher and I got to harvest lettuce for them to sell at the Farmers Market. We picked the lettuce, and it was washed, bagged, and labeled. Really hard work and very much appreciated by the staff. Thanks again for helping us to give back.”
Stories like this were heard across every volunteer site—stories of teamwork, learning, hard work, and a renewed appreciation for the nonprofits that help hold our community together.
Grateful for Our Community Partners
A special thank you to the organizations that opened their doors to us:
Habitat for Humanity, Shepherd’s Heart, Caritas of Waco, Talitha Koum, Salvation Army, Family of Faith Worship Center, Compassion Waco, Esther’s Closet, and Mission Waco, Mission World.
These partners welcomed our teams with kindness, clarity, and purpose. They gave us meaningful projects, shared their missions, and allowed us to see the impact they make each day. We are honored to collaborate with these organizations throughout the year, and even more honored to serve alongside them.
Your work inspires ours. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you.
Grateful for Our Board of Directors
We extend our deepest thanks to the EOAC Board Members who showed up early to serve breakfast and cheer on our staff before they headed out for the day. Your leadership—demonstrated not just in meetings but in moments of service—sets the tone for who we are and how we show up for our community.
Thank you for supporting this initiative and for standing with our team in such a meaningful way.
A Day That Reflects Who We Are
As a Community Action Agency, service is the heartbeat of EOAC. But on this day, we got to experience service from a new perspective—standing beside the very organizations that help us meet the needs of thousands of families each year.
What we learned, felt, and contributed on November 21st strengthens the work we do every single day. It deepens our community relationships, broadens our understanding of local needs, and reminds us why mission-driven work matters.
Service isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are.
Thank you to everyone who made EOAC’s first All Staff Volunteer Day an inspiring and memorable experience. We look forward to making this an annual tradition as we continue to build opportunity, strengthen families, and bridge futures together.
