(NOV. 20, 2024) -- The first Community Giveback donation for the Love Where You Live initiative launched this fall provided much-needed assistance for food insecurity and for senior citizens living in the county.

At the Nov. 19 Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting, nearly $3,000 was presented to Never Alone Community Food Pantry and Stand Up For Seniors.

Never Alone Community Food Pantry serves anyone in the community who needs assistance. Through October 2024, Never Alone has distributed more than 1.1 million pounds of food to 11,251 households (37,438 individuals). On average, the non-profit serves 1,100 households providing 113,585 pounds of food per month. The organization operates out of a facility in Woodstock that is set up like a grocery store. Clients can shop for their food items at the food pantry like they would if they were going to a grocery store. Never Alone also provide food box distributions at various locations throughout each month.

“Never Alone Community Food Pantry is grateful for every financial partner that contributes to our efforts of fighting hunger one family at a time. Funds donated are used to secure food through the Atlanta Community Food bank, as well as cover overhead costs associated with distributing food into our community through the physical food pantry and off-site drive through distributions,” said Millie Hughes, director and community outreach coordinator for Never Alone Community Food Pantry. “Financial support from our community is vital to these efforts are together we convey this encouraging message: When you encounter life’s challenges, you are ‘Never Alone.’”

Stand Up For Seniors is a non-profit organization that serves senior citizens in need through home projects, financial assistance, and safety and hygiene solutions. From Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024, Stand Up for Seniors provided over $150,000 to assist 136 seniors with the Last Stop Program, a service that provides assistance with emergency needs when all other efforts have been exhausted. The assistance includes emergency needs for rent, minor medical costs, dental care, utilities, temporary housing, and other unexpected expenses for seniors living on a fixed income. The organization also provided 25 people with home repair assistance totaling more than $95,000, and senior comfort items for 56 people totaling nearly $25,000.

“After 24 years, we have served numerous seniors in Cherokee County, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of our community through monetary donations,” said De Gale, with Stand Up for Seniors. “Our goal is to keep seniors safe and secure in their homes and for those who struggle financially, every dollar counts to help us complete this goal.”

In less than two months, Love Where You Live T-shirt sales raised $2,934 through community T-shirt sales and special order T-shirt sales. Each non-profit was presented with a $1,467 check Tuesday evening. 

“The Love Where You Live initiative has evolved into a project that not only highlights the great people who live in our community but also provides additional resources to non-profits serving right here in Cherokee County,” said Communications Director Erika Neldner. “I appreciate everyone who helped make this community giveback initiative possible, and we plan to continue both the multimedia project and the fundraising components in the future.”

Love Where You Live T-shirts still can be purchased at the Woodstock Recreation Center, the L.B. Ahrens “The Buzz” Recreation Center, Visit Woodstock and History Cherokee. Organizations interested in participating with a special order can order 12 or more shirts with fundraising dollars going to yet-to-be-selected non-profits in 2025.

For more information about fundraising T-shirt sales and the Love Where You Live initiative, including nominating someone to be featured, nominating a non-profit to be a beneficiary and how to view already published videos, visit lwyl.cherokeecountyga.gov.

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