A survey conducted this time last year found at least 2,679 homeless people in Atlanta. With temperatures headed into the teens this week, here are some ways to help.
The Atlanta Union Mission, founded in 1938 as a soup kitchen during the Great Depression, is now the city’s largest and longest-running provider of services to homeless men, women and children. The faith-based organization welcomes monetary donations, volunteer and fundraising efforts, and prayer for those it serves. The Atlanta Mission 5K Race to End Homelessness, a qualifier for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, is planned for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at Pemberton Place Greenspace. See atlantamission.org for details.
MUST Ministries operates food banks and housing shelters, provides workforce development and distributes donated clothing and other goods. It has brick-and-mortar facilities in Cobb and Cherokee counties, but its programs extend to eight metro area counties. The organization accepts items including nonperishable food, clean, gently used clothing, undergarments and socks, new toiletry items and clean, gently used towels bedding. Donations are accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at its location at 1280 Field Parkway in Marietta. Weather conditions prompted the location to close this Tuesday; be sure to check its site at mustministries.org to ensure hours of operation. The MUST Marketplace store in Sandy Plains Village, 4708 Sandy Plains Road in Roswell, benefits its programs.
The nonprofit recently partnered with Cobb County to provide bus vouchers for those who need to reach its warming shelter in Marietta. Vouchers and other resources can also be found at the HOPE Family Resource Center and the Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton and the Bethany United Methodist Church in Smyrna.
North Fulton Community Charities assists individuals and families with emergency need in North Fulton. More than 100 local families receive food from the organization daily and it distributes more than $1.4MM in emergency financial assistance to help with rent, utilities other necessities annually. NFCC welcomes monetary donations, volunteer efforts and operates a thrift shop 11270 Elkins Road in Roswell, that benefits its mission. See nfcchelp.org for details.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a database of shelters, pantries and health clinics for those needing assistance or seeking ways to help at hud.gov/findshelter.
If you’re interested in an individual effort, consider assembling care packages you can distribute to those in need. Stock them with gloves and socks, hand warmers, hats and scarves, toiletries, hygiene products and snacks. You may want to consider mylar blankets, which are waterproof, rip resistant and retain heat better than typical ones. Everlit’s survival blankets, for example, were designed by NASA and can be used as a rain poncho or light-duty tarp. You can buy a 12 pack on Amazon.com for $13.95. Each 52′'x 82′' blanket is folded, wrapped and sealed in a bag the size of a credit card and weighs about 2 ounces.
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