Hunger in North Georgia Here's How You Can Help! by Rachel Sprouse As the new year starts, commercials shift from holiday messages to gym memberships, and focuses change from donations to New Years resolutions. While some worry about what foods to eat to live a healthier lifestyle, others are struggling to put food on their plates. Although the holidays are a great reminder to donate to local charities to support those in our community, the need for basic resources like food is a year-round issue. In 2017, 40 million Americans struggled with hunger in the United States. In Georgia, one in seven people are not certain where their next meal will come from, according to Feeding America. Food insecurity can affect people from every background, but many arent sure what it is or how to help end this growing problem in our communities. Food insecurity is the inability to consistently provide food for your household. According to Millie Hughes, director of the food pantry operation at Never Alone, food insecurity often arises because of difficult choices a person must make. They can either pay the light bill or purchase food, Hughes says. Its not necessarily that theyre not trying [or] not having a job. Its just theres not enough to go around to provide all the needs that they and their family have on a monthly basis.To supplement the lack of resources, many go on food stamps, now known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program allows families to stretch their food budget and offers assistance to those who struggle with food insecurity. Many households also reach out to local food banks and food pantries for assistance, like the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Never Alone.Since it began five years ago, Never Alone serves about 300 families in Cherokee County, acting as a resource for those in need. From their building, they can warehouse donations and allow people to shop for their food in a dignified way. We feel like theres a lot of food insecurity in the area, and we need to address that, Hughes says.According to Feeding America, many food-insecure households that received assistance in 2014 live at or below the poverty line. Poverty can come about in many ways, but it can be categorized as situational or generational.Situational poverty develops from a change in a persons daily life. These changes can vary from job loss, death in the family, or change in access to transportation, among other issues. Situational poverty can be short-term or long-term, depending upon the circumstance, and can progress if left unresolved.Generational poverty, however, is a much harder form of poverty to help others recover from, according to Hughes. Generational poverty describes families that have lived in poverty for at least two generations. Who knows why it ever started, but then its a cycle that continues, Hughes says. One thing they have found is often the people in generational poverty are not really supportive of those getting out of generational poverty because theyre afraid of it. They dont understand, and they feel so bad about themselves, theyre not necessarily supportive.Although both types of poverty are present in north Georgia, based on her experience helping families, Hughes thinks we have more cases of generational poverty present in our community. North Georgia also has a higher rate for food deserts, which Hughes says many people have misconceptions about.A food desert just means its harder to get there, especially fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, Hughes says. Fresh food, not just canned.Knowing that our area has a high rate of need, we can help those who struggle with hunger in our communities by supporting local food banks and food pantries throughout the year. Whether its a financial or a food donation, consistently supporting a food pantry helps families who struggle to put food on the table.One way to support your community is to run a food drive within your workplace or group of friends and neighbors. If youre not sure what to collect, reach out to the food pantry and get a list of what they need.When someone hears about a food drive, they always think green beans, corn, and carrots, Hughes says. But we need soups; we need canned pastas and tuna.Another way to help eliminate food insecurity in our area is to make a financial donation. Food pantries can put your financial donations to good use and acquire food at a lower cost than in a store. With the start of a new year, remember that need and poverty carry over from the year before. Make it a resolution to support your community, and donate or volunteer at your local food pantry. You never know which friend or neighbor you may be helping.Food Pantriesin Cherokee CountyBascomb Mission Thrift Food Pantry9550 Main Street, Woodstock678-324-7937BascombChurch.orgHours: 10:00am-5:00pm Wednesday-Friday; 10:00am-4:00pm SaturdayLeast of These Ministries, Inc. Serving all of Cherokee County770-547-4045Hours: Call for an appointmentMUST Ministries 111 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton770-479-5397MustMinistries.orgHours: 10:00am-2:00pm Monday-FridayNever Alone Food Pantry & Clothing Outreach291 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock770-363-5272NeverAlone.orgHours: 10:00am-2:00pm Monday-Friday10:00am-2:00pm first & third Saturdays of each monthPapa's Pantry6551 Commerce Parkway, Woodstock770-591-4730PapasPantry.orgHours: 9:30am-2:30pm Monday & Friday9:30am-4:30pm Tuesday-ThursdayTimothy Lutheran Church - Timothy's Cupboard556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock770-591-5515TimothysCupboard.orgHours: Appointments available 8:00am-12:00pm Tuesday & Thursday Food Pantriesin North Fulton CountyThe Drake House - Food Pantry10500 Clara Drive, Roswell770-587-4712TheDrakeHouse.orgDonation Hours:Call for drop-off times.World Harvest Church320 Hardscrabble RoadRoswell770-643-9223WorldHarvestChurch.orgDonation Hours:Call for drop-off times.North Fulton Community Charities11270 Elkins Road, Roswell770-640-0399NFCCHelp.orgDonation Hours:9:00am-5:00pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday9:00am-7:30pm Tuesday and Thursday
to your business!