How volunteering can feed those in need & soothe the soul

Traditionally, this time of year brings up many feelings of altruism. As we gather around our tables enjoying meals prepared by and shared with loved ones on dark, chilly evenings, the knowledge that others might not have a holiday meal or food in their cupboards is striking in contrast. Volunteering at a food bank, soup kitchen, or stocking a local free pantry are all wonderful ways to share the love with those who might not otherwise have access to healthy, fresh food.

I spoke with Tim Adkins, Director of Marketing and Communications for Hands On Atlanta about Atlanta’s hunger problem and what is being done to address it. “We can’t keep up with the need from our partners, specifically our food pantry partners,” said Adkins.

Between August of 2020 and July of 2021, Hands On Atlanta has supplied more than 9,500 volunteers to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank as they distribute a whopping 8.6 million meals to 22 food pantries located throughout the city and far into the suburbs. Additionally, Hands On Atlanta’s Meals 4 Kids program and COVID-19 specific relief efforts have supplied 8,000 meals to families in that same timeframe.

“Last year we engaged about 15,000 people in service to serve approximately 130,000 hours in the community,” Adkins explained, and while Hands On Atlanta is an organization dedicated to a myriad of nonprofits in a variety of sectors, Adkins says that the pandemic has really highlighted an increased need specifically centered around food insecurity. Of those 15,000 volunteers engaged by Hands On Atlanta nearly 10,000 were focused on providing healthy meals to those in need. 

Calling the issue “just staggering,” Adkins and the Hands On Atlanta team are committed to activating people, both as individuals and within the context of corporate teams, in an effort to facilitate the distribution of donations from organizations to the communities that need them.

“We really wanted to lean in,” said Adkins, who says he has seen exponential growth in the amount of food that has come into the Food Bank and then back out into the community. 

While one of the biggest impacts can be seen from companies bringing in teams of employees to volunteer their time, COVID has restricted those opportunities and today most volunteering efforts employ less than 50 people at a time. Nonprofits such as Urban Recipe and the Community Assistance Center regularly post their opportunities with Hands On Atlanta, but are typically seeking between four to six volunteers for a given activation. 

Some local companies that have regularly given back through volunteering with Hands On Atlanta include Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, the Coca-Cola Company, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, United Postal Service, NCR, and the Norfolk Southern Railroad. 

“Even if you couldn’t physically help, there are things you can do to be supportive like writing a letter in support of someone who may have fallen on hard times. It really does mean a lot, just having some encouragement means a lot. To really understand why, and why it matters, is to create empathy,” said Adkins. And it’s not only good for the community, giving back has benefits for the volunteer as well. 

“Studies have shown that volunteering meets all of the things that the pandemic has caused: isolation, stress, feeling no sense of purpose,” Adkins continued. “It has been proven that volunteering gives you confidence, a sense of community, and a sense of purpose. There is intrinsic value as well, it’s great for the community but also for the individual.”

As we talked, Adkins shared a few local organizations that he feels are making great strides in the battle against hunger. Free99Fridge.com, Second Helpings Atlanta – Assemble and Pack Food Donations, and Open Hand Atlanta are all dedicated to providing not only non-perishable and shelf-stable foods, but also fresh fruit, produce, and whole meals to those in need throughout the city. 

So this year, if you find that you’ve got enough love to share, whether it be in the form of food or monetary donations or through actual physical assistance to soup kitchen, food pantries, and all of the auxiliary organizations that support the efforts to get food into the hands of those who need it, there are some truly remarkable ways you can aid in the fight against food insecurity. 

Get started right now by searching this list of food insecurity related projects on Hands On Atlanta’s calendar. Here are some other projects to explore throughout Thanksgiving:

• Volunteer with Atlanta Community Food Bank as an individual or a group

• Virtual Meals on Wheels which includes projects people can do from home

• Thanksgiving Dinner and Coat Giveaway with Area in Need Missionary House on November 13 and 20

• The Pantry at Chapelhill Atlanta on November 20

• Thanksgiving Event and Mobile Food Pantry Distribution with Streetwise on November 20

• Grady Fresh Food Cart with Grady Health System in Brookhaven on November 24

• Stock the Pantry with Grace Community Food Pantry on November 24

• Thanksgiving Give Back with SSA, delivering nourishing meals to low-income and homebound seniors in Fulton County on November 20 (Registration required by November 15)

• Giving Tuesday with Hosea Helps, this annual Thanksgiving drive-through event at the Georgia World Congress Center Blue Parking Lot seeks volunteers age 12+ to fill 10 shifts on November 19

• Volunteer with the Atlanta Mission, serve meals to men residing at The Shepherd’s Inn or the women and children at My Sister’s House, many dates available

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This post originally shared on

https://isadorapennington.com/2021/11/05/sharing-the-love/

Atlanta gives back BIG for Hands On Atlanta Week

For over thirty years, the first week in October in Atlanta, has been synonymous with perfect weather (well, maybe not this year), college football, and the city’s largest day/week of service! The 2021 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, carried our city’s tradition, where thousands of volunteers stepped up and helped tackle our city’s most pressing needs!

Quick Stats, Big Impact

Featured Projects + Events

During Hands On Atlanta Week, over 300 volunteer projects and community events took place! While we can’t highlight all of them, the following in-person and virtual projects and events give you an inside look at the good work that happened.

Virtual

Learning in Color STEAM Mural

Volunteers from LexisNexis Risk Solutions painted a large STEAM mural for M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. The twist? The mural was broken into 100 individual canvases and half of the canvases were painted by volunteers in Atlanta and the other half were painted by a remote team in Florida. The project was organized by Learning in Color. Each volunteer was given their own paint kit with instructions, sketched guidelines, paint, and supplies.

Letters of Encouragement for APS Teachers

Volunteers from Norfolk Southern joined Hands On Atlanta for a Zoom call to learn about the challenges teachers are facing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Together they wrote over 200 cards/letters of encouragement to teachers at Hands On Atlanta partner schools and packed incentive snack bags for students.

Hands On Atlanta Disco Program

Chick-fil-A sponsored 3 Disco sessions (our virtual Saturday, STEM enrichment program) engaging 100 students across 5 of our partner schools. 27 volunteers put in over 50 hours in total, including several Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows of our recently launched Civic Leadership Program!

In-Person Projects

Fun on the Farm at Truly Living Well

Hands On Atlanta Week presenting sponsor, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation showed up and showed out at Truly Living Well! Volunteers from various Blank organizations (Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United, etc.) came together to remove invasive plants from a hillside, spread mulch, and cultivated new usable land for the farm. 12 volunteers from Chick-fil-A rolled up their sleeves and cleared garden beds to prepare for the fall crops. It was a fun, fantastic day on the farm!

International Community School Meal Distribution

Volunteers from ShopCore, an affiliate of the Blackstone Group, packed 440 meal kits for the International Community School (ICS) and 260 meal kits for McLendon Elementary School. The meals were distributed by Hands On Atlanta volunteers and school staff. You can learn more about this distribution here.

Meals 4 Kids Pack - Love T. Nolan

Volunteers from RYAN Companies, Coca-Cola, and Atlanta Select Properties joined a Hands On Atlanta Meals4Kids meal pack and distribution for students at Love T. Nolan Elementary School! Together they packed 700 meals and wrote 900 notes of encouragement!

Barack and Michelle Obama Academy Service Saturday

30 volunteers from Kilpatrick Townsend polished up the school's campus with various concurrent painting and landscaping projects, including 6 of these cool garden beds! They also painted 2 interior walls, 2 trails of footprints on the sidewalk and 2 sidewalk games, assembled 10 pieces of furniture and staged the new Parent Resource Suite.

A Bright Day at Hollis Innovation Academy

Just in time for Fall break, volunteers from NCR’s Black Professionals Forum hosted a Service Saturday! The day focused on polishing up the Hollis Innovation Academy campus by installing 30 inspiring affirmation decals on the outside of restroom stall doors, weeded and layered 5 planter beds, cleaned 4 huge flower pots, planted roses and removed a bunch of rotted wood.

Atlanta ToolBank

The Atlanta ToolBank powered Atlanta's biggest week of service and they received a little love from volunteers too! Teammates from Chick-fil-A helped with tool order logistics for all Hands On Atlanta Week projects and sanded and painted 6 hand sanitizer stands, washed and painted 25 shovels, pressure washed 50+ wheelbarrows, and cleaned and organized the warehouse.

The Kick-Off Party

Oh and let’s not forget about our Kick-Off Party we hosted last Thursday in our parking lot! Sponsors, volunteer leaders and friends of the family stopped by to enjoy good company, good food (donated by Chick-fil-A) and good times (donated Wild Heaven) at our office.

Thank You + High Fives to ALL of our Sponsors!

Hands On Atlanta Week doesn’t happen without the incredible support from our sponsors. Together they powered 300+ projects, supported thousands of families, hundreds of students and helped make a more equitable and civically engaged Atlanta!

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Inspired to get to work?

Hands On Atlanta Week is a snapshot of the work volunteers do every day! If you want to get involved and serve our community, explore our opportunity calendar and do something good!

700 Free Meals Distributed to Dekalb Students

Local charter and traditional Title I elementary schools partner with Hands On Atlanta to provide food for students over fall break

Next Wednesday, October 6, Hands On Atlanta will be distributing 440 meal kits at International Community School (ICS) and 260 meal kits at McLendon Elementary School. Both schools serve more than 74% students who receive free or reduced priced lunch, so this event will reduce food insecurity for refugee, immigrant and local students during the five day fall break. 

“We are so grateful for this opportunity to partner with Hands on Atlanta to provide meals for our students during fall break,” said Charlotte Flores, ICS Director of Community and Culture. “We know that many of our students depend on school meals for their daily nutrition. This will help provide during the times we are not in school.”

Hands On Atlanta’s Meals 4 Kids program partners with local individuals and companies interested in providing wraparound resources to metro Atlanta students and families. This particular meal pack is sponsored by ShopCore, an affiliate of the Blackstone Group. “We all have a part to play in the healthy development of our youth. Our Meals 4 Kids program is one pillar of our education portfolio that allows us to provide holistic support to those who need it the most,” said Dr. Chanika R. Perry, Director of Education Programs at Hands On Atlanta.

“This shows our students that we are in this together as a community, and we are all working together to support them, especially during unstable times like the  COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Alastair Pullen, ICS Principal. “Even when our students are not in the building, it’s good to know our students have a consistent food source.”

What: 

Free meal distribution to students

When:    

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.        

Where:   

International Community School

 2418 Wood Trail Ln

Decatur, GA 30033

Who:      

ICS students and staff, Hands On Atlanta volunteers

Reach out to Lane Elder at (678) 353-4004 or lane.elder@icsgeorgia.org to learn more about this distribution.

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About ICS Charter School 

The International Community School (ICS) is an International Baccalaureate World School that educates refugees, immigrants, and local children in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. ICS provides a rigorous and holistic education in an intentionally diverse community of mutual learners. For the 2020-21 school year, of 405 ICS students, 46% qualified as Limited English Proficient, and 74% qualified for free/reduced price lunch. Students come from 25 countries and speak over 30 languages. 

Introducing the 2022 Class of Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows

The Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program, powered by Constellation, welcomes the second largest class in program history to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs! The 21 members of the 2022 class of Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows represent diverse backgrounds and industries including education, entrepreneurs, engineering, law enforcement, marketing, technology, and more! As diverse as the candidates, they all share a common desire to move Atlanta forward by building capacity for Hands On Atlanta nonprofit and school partners. Our 2022 partners include InCommunity, Out of Hand Theatre, Eco-Addendum, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Clarkston Community Center Foundation, Inc., HOPE Atlanta and Medshare International.

During the nine-month program, the Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows will learn more about the challenges facing our community, experience hands-on professional development and leadership training, and become better equipped to serve on a nonprofit board. In addition, the fellows will fundraise for Hands On Atlanta and build meaningful relationships within the cohort and across the Hands On Atlanta network.

Meet the class:

Alice Audu

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Alice is an educator with six years in education; four years dedicated to teaching. She is currently a Special Education teacher teaching in the Metro Atlanta area. Alice is the co-founder of an online restaurant review and directory site that showcases the Nigerian dining experience called Item Seven. She volunteers as a mentor for secondary school students through a Nigerian organization called Give Girls A Chance.  Additionally, she volunteers with Africa’s Mental Health Matters where she works with the USA diaspora team to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the mental health of Africans in and out of the continent.  

Alicia Glover

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Alicia serves as the Financial Analyst at LocumTenens.com. In this role, she provides analytical, forecasting, reporting, and project support to senior management. Alicia cares deeply about financial literacy and economic equality and volunteers with various non-profit organizations throughout metro Atlanta that advance these causes.

Aprille Moore

InCommunity

Captain Aprille Moore has over 15 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as the Assistant Unit Commander for the Training, Background and Recruitment Unit with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. During her personal time, she serves as a Community Ambassador with youthSpark, an Ambassador with Black Girls RUN! Atlanta and holds leadership roles in local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Association of Junior Leagues International. She also holds a Master of Public Administration from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University. Aprille prides herself on being able to bring a unique perspective to her profession through not only advocating for progressive thought amongst her peers, but also fostering community connections that build trust. 

Corinna Matthies

InCommunity

Having worked in the construction industry for more than 35 years, Corinna has great insight into the needs and wants of her clients; but most importantly opened her eyes to the needs of my community. Since having completed tradespeople in Germany many years ago, her training has been instrumental in sustaining a decent life for family. Corinna believes by opening training programs to anyone seeking a reliable form of future income, is imperative. She currently serves under DEMA, Fire Search and Rescue Reserve, local police, and is under consideration (applicant) with Peace Corp.

Darryl Johnson

Out of Hand Theatre

Darryl is a STEM Exploratory Designer at D.E.L.T.A. STEM Academy in Lithia Springs, GA, where Darryl teaches Engineering and Computer Science for K-4 students. He is also the founder and Lead Designer at The Path: An Agent of Change, Inc., a nonprofit focused on designing tangible and equitable solutions that transform systemic issues into systemic growth for all.  Darryl is a husband and father who uses his knowledge, experience, and education to focus on changing society provide children (including his own) with an equitable opportunity to thrive and be successful.

Gabrielle Roger

Eco-Addendum

Gabrielle is a passionate and enthusiastic community advocate, servant leader, marketing and communications guru and lover of all things that empowers effective change. She serves in several community and civic organizations such as the NBCW, NCNW and JLD. She is the owner of Fifth Generation Consulting, Inc., a marketing consulting company that takes nonprofits and small business brands to the next level. Gabrielle holds a BS in Print Journalism, MS in Communications and is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb Class of 2021.

Ghameerah McCullers

YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Being an athlete for 15 years, Gharmeerah developed five essential skills that stuck with them for the rest of their life. Discipline, leadership, being able to work with a team, hard work, and attention to detail. While attending Central State University to obtain their B.S., Business Administration degree, Gharmeerah played collegiate D2 basketball and led the team to a championship. Currently, Gharmeerah works remotely as a Full Stack Engineer for Office Space Software.

Jessica Garcia

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Jessica currently works as an immigration paralegal and is passionate about serving her community. In the past three years, Jessica served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for The Leadership, Advancement, and Development of our Young Sisters (LADYS) Program based in Charlottesville, VA. In 2020 she was part of the inaugural cohort of Majority Leaders, Ignite's 10-week cohort-based virtual training to expedite the path to political leadership, GALEO's Institute for Leadership, and is a Georgia Poderosa Fellow with Poder Latinx. In 2021 she was part of the spring 2021 United Way of Greater Atlanta's Volunteer Involvement Program. 

Kasey Anderson 

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

Kasey is a Specialist of Training and Engagement at Mercedes-Benz Stadium within the Guest & Team Member Service Department. Kasey serves as a trainer for the Frontline Team Members, training on our Core Values and Welcome Home Service Philosophy. Kasey has always had a great passion for the community since beginning to volunteer at the young age of 13 as a Camp Counselor at the YMCA. She has since made it a passion to volunteer for many other opportunities (Super Bowl Atlanta, Miami, Covenant House Sleep Out, and more) She is also part of the Overwatch Committee with Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As long as there is an opportunity to better the community, Kasey will continue to lend a helping hand. 

Kelly P. Ellis

Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Kelly Ellis is a marketing professional with over twenty years of experience in developing and managing marketing and brand initiatives. Most recently, she has been a skilled-based volunteer with over a dozen nonprofits, achieved the CNP (Certified Nonprofit Professional) accreditation and logged many hours welcoming clients in a local food pantry. Her commitment to making an impact and driving successful outcomes in mission driven organizations is unwavering.  

Krista Pierce

HOPE Atlanta

Krista is a Volunteer Services Representative with Georgia Power Company where she handles the day to day operations of the Georgia Power Ambassadors. The Ambassadors is a 501C10 volunteer organization made up of company retirees and their spouses. We have 18 chapters statewide and they perform service projects in the communities we serve.  In the community, Krista is a member of the Metro West chapter of Citizens of Georgia Power, a volunteer for Make a Wish Georgia, and a member of the Circle of Sisters organization with the Atlanta Mission.  

Natalie Moore

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Natalie is a Project Manager who works in the Electrical Service industry.  As a seasoned finance professional with many years of experience she has worked in various industries such as supply chain, transportation, software, utility, and hospitality.  Her commitment to making a difference in her community has afforded her the opportunity to serve on the Northwest Metro Habitat for Humanities Family Selection Committee, Ebenezer Baptist Church Community Outreach Committee, Miss Fulton County Scholarship Committee, while continuing to volunteer at Atlanta Community Food Bank, and several other civic and community organizations.  

Pam Medlock

Clarkston Community Center Foundation, Inc.

Pam is originally from Washington, DC. She’s been in Atlanta for about 3 years and is the proud mom of two daughters – her youngest lives in Florida and her oldest lives in California. Pam is an Executive Assistant with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with Hands On Atlanta, traveling, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, & watching old movies.

Rhizlane Brachmi

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Rhizlane is a civil engineer based in Doraville, GA. She had a first encounter with volunteering while in college as part of her community service requirement, and that experience opened her eyes on all the ways she can contribute to her community. What followed was really cool volunteering opportunities ranging from gardening to serving underprivileged children at a holiday celebration and everything in between. 

Sara Henderson

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Sara is passionate about one thing: Helping others. In her professional life, she helps organizations create impactful and engaging learning experiences that enable colleagues to grow and succeed. Outside of work, she helps her community by volunteering regularly with a variety of organizations across Atlanta. She served with Hands on Atlanta’s TeamWorks! program for five years, most recently as the Steering Committee Co-chair and is a volunteer at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA).

Shalanda Dixon

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Shalanda is a certified coach and facilitator of learning and Faculty Director of Service Learning. She has over 14 years of experience in higher education. As Director of SL, she serves as the campus spokesperson and liaison for service learning and volunteer initiatives. Her passion for serving in the community continues outside of work, whereas, she and her family volunteer regularly with various organizations.

Shannon Smith

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Shannon recently returned to the Atlanta area after spending several years in New York City. Since being back in Atlanta, she has volunteered with the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Books for Africa, and other projects through Hands On Atlanta. Shannon is an attorney with experience in employee benefits, executive compensation, and labor & employment law; she has also represented veterans in claims for VA benefits.

Sydney Williams

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

Sydney is an experienced professional with a background in both the retail and consumer goods industries. She currently works in brand marketing for AHA Sparkling Water at the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, GA. Outside of her work, Sydney has a fierce passion for mentoring the next generation of young leaders and has dedicated countless hours towards this cause. She holds a BA in International Studies and recently received her MBA with a concentration in Brand Management. 

Tanjanae Walker

Hands On Atlanta - DISCO Program

San Diego, CA native Tanjanae Walker is a student of Africana Studies at Georgia State University. As an Engagement Ambassador for GSU, Tanjanae supports generous donors to the university with the giving process. As a grassroots organizer, Tanjanae combines their passion for fundraising, community and wholistic healthcare by facilitating a mutual aid program that moves to address the long term mental, physical, and financial health of Black families and individuals. Tanjanae is grateful for being welcomed into the Civic Leadership Program and knows it is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and serve with the community they now call home. 

Tracee Wilson

HOPE Atlanta

Tracee is a professional with proven experience in building relationships and developing successful strategies. In her most recent role at Southern Company Gas, she has had the opportunity to lead project teams that successfully implemented programs for long-term growth. She is committed to making a difference and being a contribution in her community and the world. Philanthropy is close to her heart and she currently serves on the Board of AABE Atlanta and volunteers through various organizations that include United Way, Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.

Yolanda Peek

Medshare International

Yolanda is a manager at a healthcare facility and manages a team with members in the Atlanta, Columbus, Athens areas of Georgia and Tennessee. She has volunteered for many opportunities via Hands On Atlanta, and other organizations, for many years. Yolanda is passionate about getting resources (food, supplies—educational, medical) to those who are resource insecure and elevating knowledge and personal self -perspective of all members of society.

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POWERED BY

The Civic Leadership Program is made possible by Presenting Sponsor, Constellation.

Constellation, an Exelon company, is a leading supplier of electric, natural gas, and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States. Through their support of the Civic Leadership Program, Constellation has further demonstrated their commitment to sustainability, not just of natural resources, but of the Atlanta communities and families.

HANDS ON ATLANTA WEEK TO BRING UNITY AND IMPACT TO METRO ATLANTA

Metro Atlanta’s largest week of service will share over 200 volunteer projects and social good events from Oct. 2-9, 2021

Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will engage 5,000 people to support 50 nonprofits and schools with more than 200 unique and meaningful volunteer projects and events from Oct. 2-9, 2021. Participants can expect traditional in-person volunteer projects, engaging virtual projects and more during metro Atlanta’s largest week of service. 

Hands On Atlanta Week will focus on the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a series of safe, small group in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities, the top priorities will focus on fighting food insecurity and education. In addition, with more than a third of Americans experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic, Hands On Atlanta will also focus on the benefits of volunteering as a proven way individuals can regain their feeling of self-worth, purpose and to find human and social connection.

“2021 has been another challenging year for everyone in Atlanta, but the overwhelming feedback from our volunteers has been how helping others has renewed their sense of purpose and connection to their community. Our hope is that Hands On Atlanta Week will give anyone and everyone a way to discover new, safe, and unifying ways to do something good,” said Jay Cranman, Hands On Atlanta President and CEO. 

Hands On Atlanta Week will kick-off with 48in48’s global hack-a-thon for good, where skills based volunteers will build 48 websites for 48 nonprofits in 48 hours. Other marquee projects include a Learning in Color STEM mural for M. Agnes Jones Elementary School by volunteers from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a meal pack for students and families at Love T. Nolan Elementary School by volunteers from Coca-Cola USA, and a technology boost and beautification at Hollis Academy by volunteers from NCR.

“Hands on Atlanta has a long history of addressing the city’s most urgent needs, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is pleased to support their efforts to provide Atlantans with safe, meaningful opportunities to volunteer in our community. Many of our own associates will be volunteering, and we’re looking forward to gathering together and giving back,” said Fay Twersky, president, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Hands On Atlanta Week will take place from Saturday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. To get your company or organization involved, or to serve with your family and friends, visit www.handsonatlanta.org/week 

Georgia Serves Announces $4.5 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Georgia

In a recent press release, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Serves) announced that Georgia received $4,531,101 in AmeriCorps funding from AmeriCorps, a federal agency. The grants will put 565 AmeriCorps Members on the ground to serve with 21 organizations across the state. AmeriCorps Members will tackle some of the toughest problems in Georgia including education, economic opportunities, healthy futures, homelessness, people living with disabilities, financial literacy, and environmental issues.

Hands On Atlanta was awarded $1,062,668 to deploy and manage 60 AmeriCorps Members with our partner schools.

“We are thrilled and honored to be an AmeriCorps grant recipient for the state of Georgia, realizing the impact we can have for students, families, and communities across metro Atlanta. Our members currently provide academic, social-emotional, and holistic support for K-8 students, and we would not be able to serve in that manner without funding from AmeriCorps and the dedication of community members,” said Dr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs at Hands On Atlanta.

In addition, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will provide close to $3 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps Members funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, full-time AmeriCorps Members may receive an award of approximately $6,345 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.

The following organizations were awarded grants for 2021-2022 to implement AmeriCorps programs in Georgia.

• Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps $1,062,668

• AmeriCorps Covenant House Georgia $162,700

• AmeriCorps Georgia Relay Teaching Residency $64,000

• Breakthrough Collaborative AmeriCorps Program $180,494

• Central Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America $137,733

• Clayton State University AmeriCorps Program $97,878

• Communities in Schools of Georgia – AmeriCorps Reading Tutorial Program $191,995

• Extra Special People AmeriCorps Program $239,030

• Georgia State University Research Foundation T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps $198,896

• Girls Scouts of Historic Georgia-AmeriCorps Planning Grant $40,178

• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers AmeriCorps Program $119,658

• Greater Valdosta United Way AmeriCorps Planning Grant $63,377

• Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter Planning Grant $26,422

• Jekyll Island State Park Authority dba Georgia Sea Turtle Center AmeriCorps $358,433

• New American Pathways – AmeriCorps Project RISE $274,830

• One World Link AmeriCorps Project $259,940

• Teach For America – Metro Atlanta $140,000

• The Christian City AmeriCorps Planning Grant $75,000

• The Scholarship Academy, Inc. – AmeriCorps Financial Aid Awareness Program $178,596

• The University of Georgia – Georgia 4-H AmeriCorps Project $423,800

• Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus AmeriCorps Program $235,473

Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through 21,000+ schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by disasters and helped thousands of first-generation college students access higher education. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.

Hands On Atlanta is still actively recruiting AmeriCorps members as math and ELA tutors as well as social-emotional learning coaches for this school year. Join this incredible team, take advantage of all the benefits of serving and make this your chance to do something good!

Kids get healthy with C.H.O.I.C.E.S.

C.H.O.I.C.E.S (Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully) is a nonprofit resource center for children (and their parents) who are clinically diagnosed and/or at-risk children of obesity. Over the last 19 years, C.H.O.I.C.E.S. has delivered their message of health to more than 100,000 children and adults through cooking classes, workshops, summer camps, health expos and mobile food pantries.

We recently caught up with C.H.O.I.C.E.S. to learn about their commitment to fighting childhood obesity and serving low-income families and families that live in food deserts in Atlanta.

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What is the problem you are solving? Why do you feel like your service is important?  

With our mobile food panties, including our “Food Box Thursdays,” we are doing our part to assist with the hunger crisis within the Atlanta community. We focus on distributing healthy food options to families and seniors that include fresh produce and groceries. 

During the height of COVID in 2020, we were able to help over 16,000 people within the Atlanta community by providing food baskets to all families.

How has the pandemic affected your nonprofit? Have your services changed?  

Because of the pandemic, we have had to close our Community Teaching Kitchen located in downtown Atlanta where we offer free healthy cooking classes for low-income families with children at risk for obesity. We had to pivot to a virtual platform for all our cooking programs while the kitchen is closed.

How has your partnership with Hands On Atlanta contributed to the success of your organization?  

Our partnership with Hands On Atlanta has helped expand the outreach territory of our organization. The exposure to more families and volunteers has been extremely valuable.

Do you have any upcoming projects that potential volunteers can sign up for?

Currently, we are looking for volunteer chefs and children’s book authors for our snack & story timeseries.

How and where can people donate supplies?  

Email: info@choicesforkids.org or call us at 678-819-3663 to find out what supplies we are in need of.

A life of service with Rev. Marvin Simmers

Rev. Simmers has served the Hillside Presbyterian Church community for more than 50 years, and at 87 years young, he still coordinates a community food pantry serving thousands around metro-Atlanta.

The Pantry at Hillside Presbyterian Church has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its service area--from 30032 to anyone who presents need, and Rev. Simmers has single handedly, used his small pick-up truck to make regular pick-ups of food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank and area businesses who donated food items.

He's witnessed the demographic transitions in the community and continued to focus on his mission--sharing the dignity in humanity no matter the current circumstances.

We spent a morning with Rev. Simmers to learn more about his commitment to the community and why he volunteers.

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Inspired by Rev. Simmers’ story?

Help us engage and highlight incredible efforts like Rev. Simmers’, by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta. It takes hard work AND financial support to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs. When you let our hands be yours, every $1 invested turns into $6 of economic impact! Donate now and help ensure a more civically engaged and equitable Atlanta.