Your monthly newsletter about The Place and how serving with purpose helps change lives. | |
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January 2023
Dear Cristy,
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s 2023. Thank you so much to all of you who supported The Place last year with your generous financial donations and your valuable time.
Last year was a tough economic year for our many clients because the costs of so many of their basic needs—food, gas, and rent—jumped in price. Our client assistance team saw a 16 percent jump in neighbors asking for help with food, a 34 percent increase in assistance with housing costs, and a 55 percent leap in requests for clothing and household items.
With The Place’s Case Management Program now in place, we hope to assist more of our neighbors in need and help them to become self-sustaining this year.
Without your continued support, The Place could not continue to provide the resources to so many clients year after year.
Serving with Purpose,
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President & CEO
The Place of Forsyth County
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Financial Stability Comes with Knowledge
Don McCarthy, a volunteer who provides one-on-one financial literacy assistance to clients of The Place, recently ran into one of his students as she was finishing a meeting at The Place. The student, who is employed but wanted to increase her knowledge of basic financial concepts, was excited to share some of the financial successes she has achieved since the pair started working together in October.
Prior to taking Don’s financial literacy class, the client had no savings. Don made a few recommendations and taught her a little about investing. She now has over $500 in a savings account and more than $50 invested--all by applying Don’s teachings. Her sons are also applying the methods she learned from Don, and now the family is on a much more financially stable path.
Read More....
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Family Raising Grandchildren Gets Assistance
Did you know The Place has clients who are grandparents who are raising their grandchildren?
Richard and his wife are raising two grandchildren aged three years and 17 years. Richard is a veteran and the kindest gentleman you will ever meet. Even with his own health concerns, he is constantly putting his family first.
Read More....
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Government Programs Don’t Cover Many Necessities
Many government programs do not include non-food necessities that can be purchased in grocery stores. The programs include Food Stamps, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC).
The Place carries many non-food items in our warehouse. We distribute them to clients in Forsyth and Dawson Counties and to mobile pantries in the area. Our food is meant to supplement families who are currently food insecure.
The following items are donated the least, but are needed the most so we can meet the needs of our clients:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and dental floss
- Body wash, hand soap, deodorant, and hand sanitizer
- Laundry detergent and bleach
- Dishwashing liquid
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Diapers, hospital pads, and sanitizer wipes
- Feminine hygiene products, including pads and tampons
- Baby wipes
- Razors
Please consider donating some of these items today. You can:
- Buy the items on Amazon Smile and have them shipped directly to our warehouse, or
- Drop off your donations of non-food items at The Place of Forsyth front office at 2550 The Place Circle, Cumming, GA 30040. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
For more information, contact Deb at [email protected]. Thank you!
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Sponsor a Winter, Spring, or Summer Food Drive
While we have been blessed this holiday season with an abundance of donated food, we need to keep the momentum going into the spring and summer. Typically, the incoming food goes out just as fast as it comes in during those months.
Please consider doing a food/diaper/hygiene drive for The Place. For more information, please contact Deborah (Forsyth) at [email protected] or Amy (Dawson) at [email protected].
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Paul Hanson is Director of Operations and Retail
Please welcome Paul Hanson, who recently joined The Place as the Director of Operations and Retail. He is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operations of all sites operated by The Place, along with overseeing all retail operations and developing a comprehensive and effective plan for expansion.
Paul comes to The Place with a passion and a servant’s heart for our most vulnerable population. He believes every person is under the guiding hand of God and each person, when provided with dignity and opportunity, can be positively impacted and, in turn, impact others.
Read More....
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Our partners are very important to the success of our mission. The following groups held food or coat drives for The Place. | |
To learn how your organization can help support the programs and services at The Place, email us at [email protected]. | |
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Why I Volunteer
Don McCarthy has been volunteering at The Place for about eight years. He works with clients as part of The Place’s Adult Training Program and with anyone who requests financial coaching, including people we think would benefit from his services.
Why do you volunteer at The Place?
My wife says it gets me out of the house, but seriously, it’s a way to give back for all the blessings we have enjoyed.
What does volunteering mean to you?
I know it’s a cliche, but I feel so much better about myself after spending time at The Place.
What do you like about volunteering at The Place?
It’s like a family. The staff and volunteers are so welcoming, and everyone appears to be enjoying themselves while serving the needs of others.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering at The Place?
There is a place for you. There are so many varied opportunities you will be sure to find something that fits your interests and skills.
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Volunteers Needed to Deliver Groceries to Homebound Clients
While our food pantry helps meet the needs of many in our community, there are others who need help with food but are unable to pick it up. Clients may be homebound because of transportation issues, medical issues, or child care constraints. We will be discontinuing our DoorDash program soon, but still want to support these families.
The Place would like to assemble a team of volunteers/drivers in both Forsyth and Dawson Counties so we can continue to provide food deliveries to homebound clients.
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Become a Volunteer!
If you’d like to join our amazing team, please fill out an application and attend a one-hour orientation session at The Place.
Click here to fill out a volunteer application. You’ll be able to sign up for an upcoming orientation session during the application process. For more information, contact [email protected].
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Double Your Donation
Did you know that many corporations match employee donations to The Place? And, if you volunteer with us, your employer may also provide us with a grant as a way to recognize your ongoing support.
Click here to see if your support can be doubled!
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Give a Gift Today
Your continued support is needed and appreciated so we can continue to help our neighbors in need.
You can help advance our efforts by:
- Providing monthly financial support
- Making The Place of Forsyth your favorite charity at smile.amazon.com or krogercommunityrewards.com.
- Adding a bequest in your will
- Giving the gift of a percentage of your estate or a specific asset
- Naming The Place as a beneficiary in your life insurance or retirement plan
- Creating a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to direct your IRA distributions to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity
The Place of Forsyth County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2355072.
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The Place of Forsyth County, 2550 The Place Circle, Cumming, GA 30040
The Place of Dawson County, 517 Allen Street Dawsonville, GA 30534 and Dawson Thrift Store (RIC-Rack) at 829 Hwy 9, Dawsonville, GA 30534
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