CAP Services, a nonprofit community action agency serving Portage, Marquette, Outagamie, Waupaca and Waushara counties,  will recognize national Community Action Month this May with a variety of activities throughout its service area.

“Community Action Month is a chance for us to promote our work, as well as the life-changing services provided by Community Action Agencies throughout the country,” said Mary Patoka, CAP president and CEO. “We look forward to this chance to deepen our connection to the communities we serve as we share our work this May.”

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are local private and public nonprofit organizations created under the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act as part of the War on Poverty. Today, CAAs serve 99 percent of counties in the U.S., connecting millions of children and families to greater opportunity, transforming their lives and making communities – and the nation – stronger.

Events under CAP’s Community Action Month “Take Action” theme include:

May 1 – CAP will host a Take a Seat breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Sentry World in Stevens Point. Join CAP staff, funders, clients and partners as they share the stories, mission and promise of community action. This is a free-will donation event and space is limited. RSVP is required at capservices.org/takeaseat2018.

May 2 – CAP will hold its 16th annual Take a Step 5K run/walk at 6 p.m. at the Pfiffner Building, 501 Franklin St., Stevens Point. Cost is $30 per participant ($25 Early Bird through April 20). Proceeds benefit domestic abuse, sexual abuse and youth in crisis services provided through CAP’s Family Crisis Center. More information, including registration information, is at capservices.org/takeastep2018.

May 12 – CAP’s new Take a Ride noncompetitive fundraising bicycle ride will be held starting at 8 a.m. at Central Waters Brewery, 351 Allen St., Amherst. Join CAP staff, clients and bicycling enthusiasts on a loop of 10, 26, or 58 miles covering three of the five counties in CAP’s service area. Cost is $40 per rider ($25 introductory early bird through April 13). More information, including registration information, is at capservices.org/takearide2018.

May 15 – Take a Plunge through CAP Services’ poverty simulation from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Marquette County Services Center Building in Montello. CAP’s poverty simulations are designed to help individuals increase their awareness of the situations and decision low-income households experience. The simulation is free. Advanced registration is required. More information, including registration information, is at capservices.org/takeaplunge2018.

May 16 – CAP will host a Take a Seat breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the World War II Building, 440 W Main St., Wautoma. This is a free-will donation event and space is limited. RSVP is required at capservices.org/takeaseat2018.

May 20 – Area business can Take a Chance through CAP’s 3rd Annual Business Expansion Contest which will launch May 20.

May 31 – CAP will host a Take a Seat breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Riverview Gardens, 1101 S. Oneida St., Appleton. This is a free-will donation event and space is limited. RSVP is required at capservices.org/takeaseat2018.

Major sponsors for CAP’s Community Action Month activities include SVA professional services company, Wisconsin Public Service, Simplicity Credit Union, ThedaCare, Old National Bank and Central Waters Brewing Company. Major Take a Step 5K sponsors include Delta Dental; Community First Bank; Bob and Mary Berard; Mark Toyota of Plover; Spectra Print; 97.9 WSPT; United Way of Portage County; Pointe Precision and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.