While the holidays for many can be a carefree time of enjoying presents under the tree and decorations across the home, they can also be a source of economic instability and anxiety. And it’s not just adults who are affected by seasonal hardships.
A couple of years ago during the holidays, a volunteer for MUST Ministries — a nonprofit organization based in Cobb County — became acquainted with a child whose family was staying at the organization’s housing shelter for Christmas.
“The little boy asked [the volunteer], ‘do you know if Santa Claus will be able to find us here,’ and that just broke our hearts,” said Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries.
The desire to help parents experiencing adversity provide gifts for their children led Reighard and his staff to develop The MUST Ministries Toy Shop. The nonprofit also runs yearlong food banks, workforce development programs and housing shelters.
MUST began as a joint effort between two Marietta churches. It is no longer directly affiliated with any religious institutions, but is one of the many faith-based organizations in Atlanta providing support to less fortunate families throughout the holiday season.
The toy store began its second holiday season at Town Center Mall on Nov. 1 and is stocked with donated gifts from churches throughout Atlanta and community volunteers. MUST leaders say the store is estimated to provide gifts to roughly 7,000 children in the metro Atlanta area before its closure on Dec. 22.
Parents who come in are assigned a personal shopper to go with them throughout the store to find 12 gifts that best express the personality and needs of each child.
The seasonal store has a mixture of clothing, toiletries, toys and sports items to provide enough variety in toys no matter the age, gender or interests of the child.
“The beauty of the way in which we are set up is that we try to create a sense of parity, not charity,” said Reighard. “And the way that you provide parity is you provide more choices [and] provide more options.”
“The minute that they — the families — are informed that they are going be accepted … it’s like they go from lack of hope, to truly feeling like ‘we are going to survive today and go into tomorrow.'”
Shirley Anne Smith, president – BCM Georgia
For many nonprofits, the holiday season is often the busiest time of the year, with prices often making it difficult for families to stay above water.
At BCM Georgia — founded originally in 1987 as Buckhead Christian Community Ministries — president Shirley Anne Smith has seen the urgency for assistance firsthand with the nonprofit’s emergency housing assistance program.
Smith notes that there have been over 72,000 evictions in metro Atlanta alone this year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Tech. Many of the families that apply for BCM’s housing assistance program have the breadwinner(s) experiencing reduced hours and low wages that make it hard to keep up financially, especially with rising inflation in recent years.
“Sometimes that check is coming in literally right before that eviction is being filed,” said Smith, who notes that the income of roughly five minimum workers equals the rent of an average metro Atlanta apartment in 2023.
Families that are selected into BCM’s program are assigned with a case worker and are given resources to help build financial stability. BCM offers assistance once in a twelve-month period and twice in five years to recipients.
“The beauty of the way in which we are set up is that we try to create a sense of parity, not charity.”
Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO – MUST Ministries
And while the program operates year-round, Smith believes that their mission takes on a more special meaning during the holidays.
“The minute that they — the families — are informed that they are going be accepted, it’s like you literally see the weight and the burden lifted. It’s like they go from lack of hope to truly feeling like ‘we are going to survive today and go into tomorrow,'” said Smith, who said she’s inspired by the families that she works with.
“The individuals that we are serving, they make miracles happen in spite of the storm that they are weathering,” Smith added.
And despite every storm that may surface, Smith says that to every family that is experiencing hardships, there is always optimism and joy left over.
“And … of course, there’s Santa,” added Reighard. “I get pumped when Santa Claus is close, and I know that a lot of children are getting pumped as well.”
Editor’s Note: Shirley Anne Smith serves on WABE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion board of directors.
