Atlanta Charities Helping Needy during Holidays
The holiday season is underway, and local charities are once again doing their part to help low-income families.
However, some of these organizations are facing a few challenges in 2013.
Hosea Feed the Hungry was founded in 1971 by civil rights activist Hosea Williams.
Several times a year, including Thanksgiving, the group offers meals and other services to the needy.
Williams’ daughter, and CEO Elizabeth Omilami, calls the work “rewarding,” but admits the organization isn’t able to get as much food as it used to.
“The sort-of large conglomerates come in and try to get all the food from the companies and then they sell it back to the non-profits. That is a real barrier for us,” says Omilami.
An audio version of this story.
Over the years, Hosea Feed the Hungry has handed out more than $3 billion dollars’ worth of food and goods to people in 16-counties throughout Georgia.
The Empty Stocking Fund, which provides presents during the Christmas season, is also short on donations this December.
“Back in 2007, our average total donations were around $1.5 million dollars and we served about 50,000 children. This year, we’ll be lucky if we can hit the $1 million mark, yet we will still serve about 50,000 children,” says executive director Manda Hunt.
Both the Empty Stocking Fund and Hosea Feed the Hungry are looking for additional volunteers this holiday season.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Top Stories
