THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Serving for the joy of it with Discovery volunteer, Kimberly Chinn
For long time Hands On Atlanta volunteer, giving back is all about the smiles. Whether she’s putting them on the faces of students in our Discovery program or they’re putting the smile on hers, volunteering is all about getting those grins. Learn more about what drives Kimberly to continue to serve youth and families and how you can help spread the joy to students for the 2022/23 school year.
For long time Hands On Atlanta volunteer, Kimberly Chinn, giving back is all about the smiles. Whether she’s putting them on the faces of students in our Discovery program or they’re putting the smile on hers, volunteering is all about getting those grins.
Learn more about what drives Kimberly to continue to serve youth and families and how you can help spread the joy to students for the 2022/23 school year.
What do you love most about the organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
Working with the Hands On Atlanta Discovery program has been an amazing experience! The joy, the energy, the love I receive from my Discovery kiddos give me life! Hands On Atlanta has supported and provided an ideal volunteer experience, but it also makes me feel like I'm truly a part of the solution to help the next generation of youth thrive.
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
Homelessness has been a huge issue since I moved to Atlanta in 1999. I don't feel that anyone should be unhoused, especially with the resources we have in the city. Everyone deserves to be in a safe space.
“The transition to a virtual format has been an overwhelming success in my eyes. While we are not able to serve the number of students we used to, the kids have been engaged and empowered!”
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your volunteering efforts?
Discovery has traditionally been an in-person project. When the pandemic started, I didn't know how the program would move forward. The transition to a virtual format has been an overwhelming success in my eyes. While we are not able to serve the number of students we used to, the kids have been engaged and empowered!
Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?
The most recently highlight was being able to surprise our Brookview students at school! The smiles on their faces when they were able to see the Discovery team in person instead of virtually was priceless! A moment I'll never forget!
Is there anything else you think our community should know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good!
I am committed to serving our youth and families! My goal is to continue to do everything possible to support the growth and positive development of our youth.
Volunteering in April? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.
I'll continue to support the Discovery program in April. While that will be the end of our season, we welcome volunteers for the 2022-2023 school year!
Inspired by Kimberly’s story?
Help us engage and highlight incredible efforts like hers, 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.
Kip Thompson is running for inclusion and inspiring the next generation
By day, Kip Thompson is a Regional Marketing Manager at Veritiv, but by night, he’s a mentor to students through Junior Achievement and runner with the Kyle Pease Foundation. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his positivity empowers those around him to do more and give more. We recently caught up with Kip to talk about his service and where you can try to catch him next (if you can).
By day, Kip Thompson is a Regional Marketing Manager at Veritiv, but by night, he’s a mentor to students through Junior Achievement and runner with the Kyle Pease Foundation. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his positivity empowers those around him to do more and give more.
We recently caught up with Kip to talk about his service and where you can try to catch him next (if you can).
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
Atlanta is a town that sets the bar high. We have 7 Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, a new artist topping the charts every week, and hundreds of social media celebrities. It is very easy to have high goal as a kid, but there is lack of influence to help kids get there. There is a large pressure to succeed, and be greater than the previous generation, which is what makes our city amazing, but there is a large gap to help mentor the younger generation how to get there.
What do you love most about the organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
I volunteer with the Kyle Pease Foundation, The Lovett School wrestling program, Junior Achievement, and Passion City Church. I love volunteering with the Kyle Pease Foundation because a talent I have can be used for another persons joy. There are very few places in life I have seen the ability for that to happen. The more I train, the more joy a wheelchair athlete receives.
“There is a large pressure to succeed, and be greater than the previous generation, which is what makes our city amazing, but there is a large gap to help mentor the younger generation how to get there.”
Volunteering in April? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.
Absolutely. I’ll be running with the The Kyle Pease Foundation at one of their upcoming races.
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your volunteering efforts?
Covid limited our ability to race and compete. Not all our wheel chair athletes have their own racing chairs, so even having the chance to go on a run was rare.
Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?
This! One athlete teaching the next generation a lesson about what actually defines you as a person.
What else should our community know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good!
Refusing to grow up has been very beneficial for my volunteer career! My middle school humor relates extremely well with middle & high schoolers!
Inspired by Kip’s story?
Help us engage and highlight incredible efforts like his, 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.
Make a Difference with DECA
DECA is a nonprofit student association that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, and they will be hosting their annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta in April. DECA is bringing 20,000 high school students to Atlanta for the event, and they need more than 1,000 VOLUNTEERS to participate as judges for career-related competitive events at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 24 and/or 25.
DECA, a nonprofit student association that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, is bringing 20,000 high school students to the Georgia World Congress Center on April 24-25, 2022 for their annual International Career Development Conference.
Over 1,000 (yes, 1,000!) volunteers are needed to participate as judges for career-related, competitive events. Some perks for volunteering as a judge include free parking, on-site training, breakfast and lunch.
3 reasons TO BE A VOLUNTEER JUDGE:
1. Feel inspired
Witness the business world through a different lens and gain a fresh perspective while listening to student presentations and engaging in role play opportunities. Students will bring a sense of enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism that is bound to impress.
2. Cultivate the future
The International Career Development Conference is the culmination of an entire year of the hard work, preparation and dedication by students and competitors internationally. Empower these youth and help develop the future workforce! Your insight, feedback and time is integral in propelling high school students beyond the classroom and getting them ready to take on the world.
3. Make an impact
When you do good, you feel good. Volunteering will not only boost your morale and sense of purpose but will do the same for high school students. There’s no stage, no awards, no pinnacle achievement without you, the judge. Your service is crucial to the success of emerging leaders and makes a tangible change in a student’s life.
If you're looking for a unique way to support education or if you're a professional looking to share your expertise with the next generation, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!
“Our judges are the final obstacle a DECA member must overcome before earning the coveted DECA Glass. Without judges acting in the role that they do, our members would not be able to gauge their growth as a speaker, competitor or leader. The impact a judge makes in the development of the next generation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs is monumental. The business model of this organization relies on quality, professional individuals to act as judges to provide them with feedback, skills, and tools they can use to change the world.” ”
Please email volunteer@deca.org for more information.
The Art of Moving Forward | A look back at the 2022 MLK Days of Service
Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
It’s relentless forward motion, and as we all know, trying to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs is never easy. During the 2022 Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service, some of us went from flying to crawling in the matter of a few hours.
Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
It’s relentless forward motion, and as we all know, trying to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs is never easy. During the 2022 Hands On Atlanta MLK Days of Service presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, some of us went from flying to crawling in the matter of a few hours. With a mix of Covid concerns and a winter storm, projects and events that took months to plan were flipped on their head. But Atlanta, you kept moving forward. It took some old fashioned hard work, determination, quick thinking, patience, a little bit of luck and a pure passion to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” that made this year’s King Holiday so meaningful. It’s surely the kind of thing we’ll be talking about for year’s to come.
Together, 1,500 volunteers and participants attended over 200 volunteer projects and events, supporting 60 nonprofits and schools. In addition, thousands of engaged citizens visited the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the King Center and the Atlanta History Center to learn about Dr. King’s life and legacy and to share their own personal experiences with each other. Morehouse College will continue their King Holiday programming throughout the month.
Check out some of our highlighted projects and events below and don’t forget to share your MLK Days of Service experience with us on our social channels, tagging #mlkatl22.
8th annual mlk Sunday Supper
On Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, close to 200 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta united, virtually, for our 8th annual MLK Sunday Supper presented by The Coca-Cola Company. This year’s event provided guests an intimate, vulnerable, and thought-provoking experience, with guided conversations about What We Teach Our Kids About Race.
The evening featured special guests Brandon Fleming, founder and CEO of the Harvard Diversity Project and Dr. Beverly Tatum, president emerita at Spelman College, as well as 30 Atlanta changemakers as breakout facilitators. Hosted by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim, the evening also including moving performances (above) from spoken word poet Ashlee Haze and sensory artist Siana Altiise.
Heart is full, mind is focused after engaging in the @HandsOnAtlanta #MLKATL22 #SundaySupper - Joined with many Atlantans to talk about our experiences as children in learning about race. My big take away - being a courageous parent for Bleu as it relates to race. pic.twitter.com/iTivnzUrmi
— Adrienne Annice 🍑🫐 (@LadyA08) January 17, 2022
Joining community leaders as a facilitator for @HandsOnAtlanta #MLKSundaySupper for a conversation about engaging our kids on the topic of race. As a new father, it’s important that we lean into these uncomfortable conversations — our silence itself, is a (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ArborRYmxW
— Phil Olaleye (@PhilForGeorgia) January 16, 2022
SERVICE WITH SCALES AT Disco’S POP-UP
Disco, our virtual Saturday enrichment program, had some special guests for our in-person pop-up event on Saturday, Jan. 15! Students from our partners schools got hands on with some critters like snakes, spiders, and even a baby hedgehog! Volunteers from NCR and our AmeriCorps team helped ensure the students (and the animals) had a great atmosphere for learning and discovery.
FEEDING NEIGHBORS WITH EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH
Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a sponsor of the 2022 MLK Days of Service hosted by @handsonatlanta, we joined colleagues across the Blank Family of Businesses to pack meal kits.
— Arthur Blank Foundation (@BlankFoundation) January 17, 2022
We hope you’ll join us in Dr. King’s call to service. pic.twitter.com/9ES0dqFrrb
There was no better place to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. than at his home at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In partnership with the Ben Crump Single Parents in Need Feeding Initiative and the hard work of volunteers from the surrounding community and from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, 1,000 meal bags were packed! Volunteers also wrote letters of encouragement that went in each bag of food. The meal bags were then distributed on Dr. King’s birthday, Saturday, Jan. 15.
URBAN FOREST RESTORATION WITH WAWA
So proud of my mentee, Solomon Seaborn, for this well-deserved honor! His ❤️ for service was evident even as our @KIPPWAYSAcademy 6th grader 18 years ago! As a @HandsOnAtlanta board member, I love that we are celebrating men and women who lift up their communities!@BTCHiewet https://t.co/KOSLVd0lRk
— President/CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (@BGCMA_CEO) January 17, 2022
Volunteers (including Senator Jon Ossoff pictured above with members of our AmeriCorps team) braved the elements and worked hard to provide actions to maintain stewardship, history, and beautification, as a “Beloved Community” with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA). Volunteers cleared trail paths, marked trails, spread mulch, removed limbs and invasive plants, and more at their Outdoor Activity Center in the historic Oakland City neighborhood.
In addition to this huge, hard working day of service. Hands On Atlanta Civic Leader and dedicated WAWA volunteer, Solomon Seaborn received the January, 17 2022 Points of Light, Daily Point of Light Award.
Learn more about Solomon’s story!
lEARNING IN COLOR MURAL AT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Thank you @HandsOnAtlanta for planning so many great volunteer projects this weekend. We made today a day ON, not a day OFF at the International Community School, sorting books in the library. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/L3Z5fKqMgx
— Rep. Betsy Holland, HD54 (@BetsyforGeorgia) January 17, 2022
It was all smiles and lots of fun at the International Community School, (an educational haven for refugee students from all over the world) where volunteers from the community and WarnerMedia teamed up to paint and beautify the school with a mural from Learning in Color! The mural represents the core values that the school stands for and the core values that Dr. King dedicated his life for; equity, inclusion, diversity and acceptance of all cultures and ethnicities. The project added aesthetic value and cultural significance to International Community School and as you can see in the video above, the kids love it!
Office Meal Pack
Spent #mlkday volunteering with Hands on Atlanta to help school kids affected by food insecurity. No one should go hungry in a first world/developed nation. pic.twitter.com/2uWAYklc9Z
— Tyler Lee (@tylercampaigner) January 17, 2022
Over at the Hands On Atlanta office, 50 highly motivated and energetic volunteers from Coca-Cola, MAPP, Towerpoint and our AmeriCorps team spent MLK Day packing 800 meal bags for students at Love T. Nolan Elementary School! In addition to packing meals, volunteers also wrote notes of encouragement for the kids, and placed finished kits in boxes to deliver to the school later this week.
Beautification at InCommunity
The volunteers that served at InCommunity had a big job on their hands, to improve a day program center that provides educational, creative, and social opportunities for up to 55 adults with disabilities. Community volunteers revitalized the center with tasks like raking leaves, clearing branches, painting, decorating and organizing classroom spaces.
VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
EDUCATION EQUITY With DR. CHANIKA PERRY
Throughout our MLK Days of Service, participants from NCR, KaVo Kerr and American Tower spent their lunch hour virtually with Hands On Atlanta's resident education expert, Director of Education Programs, Dr. Chanika Perry, to learn more about education inequities in our country. After a brief issue education presentation and thought starters, attendees participated in a facilitated, curated discussion and thought sharing on how to build a more equitable future for the next generation.
FOOD SECURITY WITH ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
Participants from CRH Americas, Change Healthcare, HOK, Norfolk Southern, OneDigital, and NCR virtually came together for a presentation from Hands On Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank to learn more about Atlanta's fight against food insecurity. The attendees joined an interactive simulation that put themselves in the shoes of others to experience the realities of food insecurity and economic life choices that need to be made daily. Guests left empowered with resources to advocate and participate in the fight against hunger.
SHARE YOUR MLK DAY EXPERIENCE
Now that you’ve read some of the highlighted moments and projects of our MLK Days of Service, we’d love to know how you celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. King. Share your activity or reflection points with us across our social channels by following @handsonatlanta and using the hashtag #mlkatl22.
If you’re feeling inspired to get involved, there are still several MLK Day related activities throughout the rest of the month. Hop over to mlkatl.org for more info and to find an opportunity to engage.
BUILDING THE “BELOVED COMMUNITY” FOR 2022 MLK DAYS OF SERVICE
Hands On Atlanta will host their annual MLK Days of Service, presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, from January 12-17, 2022. Throughout this winter tradition, Hands On Atlanta will mobilize thousands of volunteers at 75 projects supporting more than 30 partner schools and nonprofits across metro Atlanta.
Hands On Atlanta to celebrate the King Holiday with 100+ volunteer projects and events
ATLANTA, GA – Hands On Atlanta will host their annual MLK Days of Service, presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, from January 12-17, 2022. Throughout this winter tradition, Hands On Atlanta will mobilize thousands of volunteers at 75 projects supporting more than 30 partner schools and nonprofits across metro Atlanta.
Volunteers can expect a mix of virtual and “DIY” service opportunities like a letter writing webinar for teachers in Title 1 public schools, and meaningful, traditional projects including the beautification of an outdoor activity center with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and a meal pack with volunteers from The Blank Family of Businesses at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
“We’re pleased to join Hands On Atlanta and thousands of volunteers across the city on this important day of service,” said Fay Twersky, president, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “We are our brother’s keeper, and it’s through moments like this, where we take care of each other, that we create human connections and stronger bonds in our communities.”
Another prominent feature of the MLK Days of Service is the annual MLK Sunday Supper, presented by The Coca-Cola Company. The evening will feature Brandon Fleming, CEO and Founder of the Harvard Debate Council, Dr. Beverly Tatum, President Emerita at Spelman College, and a meaningful, guided conversation exploring “What we teach our kids about race.” 300 participants are expected at the sold out, virtual event.
“The MLK Sunday Supper is a special event in a myriad of ways for The Coca-Cola Company, particularly the personal conversations between our associates and community leaders,” said Alba Baylin, Vice President, Stakeholder and Community Management at The Coca-Cola Company North America. “This year’s supper conversation continues our journey toward creating a more inclusive world where everyone is respected and treated with equity.”
In addition to volunteer projects, Hands On Atlanta is again partnering with the King Center, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Morehouse College, the Atlanta History Center, and Points of Light in an effort to reinforce Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” This collective will host a series of events and opportunities to engage in the King Holiday throughout January 2022. Learn more about all the ways you can celebrate MLK Day 2022 across metro Atlanta at http://mlkatl.org.
9 PROJECTS TO RING IN THE HOLIDAYS
Are you in the giving spirit and looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back this holiday season? With a focus on fighting food insecurity, we’ve got your back with 9 hand selected projects (and a lot more) that are serving the community for the holidays.
Are you in the giving spirit and looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back this holiday season? With a focus on fighting food insecurity, we’ve got your back with 9 hand selected projects (and a lot more) that are serving the community for the holidays.
Community Food Box Build Out
HOPE Atlanta is looking for volunteers on Wednesday, Dec. 8 to help pack food into boxes for an upcoming distribution. You can join their efforts to help Georgians avoid homelessness and hunger. Every year HOPE Atlanta supplies more than 40,000 food boxes to neighbors in need, and they rely on volunteers to make this possible.
Amazing Virtual Info Session for Free99Fridge
Ok, so you’ve heard of Free99Fridge, and now you’re interested in learning more about how you can help them fight food insecurity in Atlanta? Here’s your chance! On Thursday, Dec. 9 anyone in the community wanting to learn more about supporting their Solidarity Fridges (located at Best End Brewing, Refuge Coffee, Hodgepodge Coffeehouse and North Decatur Presbyterian Church) is welcome to attend an Amazing Virtual Info Session. Expect a fun, super informal and COVID-safe way to learn more about getting involved, donating food, navigating Slack and all things Free99Fridge.
Gift Sorting
Antioch Urban Ministries is looking for volunteers Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings through Dec. 16 to sort (not wrap) toys for kids who are in need. You’ll be sorting toys by age and gender and bagging them in preparation for distribution.
Clark Howard's Christmas Kids
For 26 years, Clark Howard has been providing Christmas gifts to foster children in the state of Georgia. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, along with WSB TV/Talk Radio, the Georgia Department of Human Services, and Walmart, work with Clark to ensure that every child has gifts to open on Christmas morning. They need energetic volunteers to help organize the gifts everyday through Friday, Dec. 17. Volunteers will help load and unload trucks, sort and combine gifts for children, help label gifts by county, and ensure each child receives the correct gifts.
Christmas in Coweta
Christmas in Coweta is a program organized by Bridging the Gap, to provide toys, clothing, and other needed items to children in need. Bridging the Gap is a nonprofit organization based in Coweta County, Georgia that provides food, clothing, and ministry to people who are struggling in their community. They are in need of volunteers for various roles and shifts the week of Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 17 to help with their event.
6th Annual Christmas Dinner and Toy Giveaway
For this Holiday season, Area in Need Missionary House is looking for volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 18 to assist them in serving men, women and children that live in 4 of their partner hotels and extended stays in the surrounding areas. Volunteers will setup with the tents, tables and items, serve a spagetti dinner, distribute toiletries, gifts, toys and more!
StreetWise Christmas Event and Mobile Food Pantry
On Saturday, Dec. 18, StreetWise Georgia will serve 300 registered families with a Take Home To Cook Christmas Meal and a new gift to unwrap for every child attending this special event. Volunteers will help sort food, prepare food boxes, load boxes into client vehicles, hand out Christmas gifts and so more!
Helping Hands Holiday Dinner
On Saturday, December 18, 250 disadvantaged children will be able to celebrate the holidays as part of the 33rd Annual Helping Hands Holiday Dinner. Volunteers are needed at the Union City, GA location to help give out pre-bagged toys, free giveaways and to hand out drinks and/or snacks.
Christmas Community Food Box Giveaway
Area in Need is hosting a Christmas Community Food Box Giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 21 where they will provide anyone in the community free food items. Volunteers will assist in preparing boxes, sorting different food items, handing out information sheets and loading food boxes into clients’ vehicles.
But wait, there’s more…
We’ve got even more ways you can volunteer during the holidays - a lot more, actually. There are close to 500 opportunities to give back on our calendar from now through the end of the year. Don’t wait until 2022 to do something good, get started today!
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.
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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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, college football, and the city’s largest day/week of service! The 2021 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week carried our city’s tradition, where thousands of volunteers stepped up and helped tackle our city’s most pressing needs!
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!
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!