Q: How are you funded?
A: We greatly depend on private donations, church support, and fundraising activities for most of our basic needs. We do appreciate the United Way which serves as a local agency that distributes federal government dollars within the County, which has helped us to increase our giving and services to our clients. Current operating expenses are estimated $7,000 per month. Most of our staff are volunteers. Papa’s Pantry is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and contributions are tax-deductible. We ask for you to prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor. Please ask your employer if they will match your donations! We are registered with AT&T and Home Depot to receive such matches.
Q: How many families do you feed every week?
A: The number of families fed each week greatly depends on the time of year. Spring is the lightest – families are receiving tax returns and there is a seasonal break with power bills. During these few months, our numbers may range from 10-15 families a week. The numbers and needs increase as children are out of school at the end of May. In fact, feeding growing children all summer creates quite a burden on the household food budget! Once school begins again in August, food assistance steadily grows through Christmas and winter, when we are at peak, ranging from 50 to 60 families each week. Each family is assigned a mentor, and their program and assistances are customized.
Q: How does someone get food?
A: The process is simple. The person needing food assistance just needs to call our office to schedule an appointment. 770-591-4730. We are not able to handle walk-ins. It is our goal to get to know the families we are working with.
Q: What is the difference between a “first-timer” and a “partnered family”?
A: A first-timer is just that… they have made an appointment, and once there, receive food for the “first time”. They are able to select one week’s worth of non-perishable grocery items from our shelves. During that first appointment, the Partnership Program is explained and they are given the opportunity to apply for the “on-going” assistance (until they have regained stability).
A “partnered family” is one that has filled out a “partnership” application, answering questions about their circumstances, action plan, financial summary and other needs beyond food. This application then goes before a review committee to determine if this family’s circumstances fall within our guidelines. If approved, this family is able to come back for food assistance, mentorship, and life-skills coaching for the next two months. If they are not “back on their feet” by the end of this time, they are able to re-apply, using the same process as before.
It is these “partnered families” that we actively work with, and help with the extra annual events, such as Easter, Back-to-School, Winter Coats, and Christmas.
Q: What are your guidelines for partnered food assistance?
A: Our guidelines are pretty straight-forward. They have been prayed over during the years of development, and we feel that these are God-given. The Review Committee looks for a recent financial event that has caused a potential food shortage in the household and an action plan for the family to regain stability. It may be as “simple” as finding employment, or it may be as complicated as becoming a single parent or regaining health.
Q: How are you different from the Atlanta Food Bank?
A: The Atlanta Food Bank is the city’s main food-resource “hub”- they are the recipients and filter, in which many government subsidized food programs operate; they also receive overages from large corporations and food chains. Families cannot go directly to the Food Bank for assistance. Agencies such as Papa’s Pantry gain access to their resources by applying for partnership and passing annual inspections of record-keeping and location. We do pay a nominal “handling fee” for the food we receive, based on weight and government source, but it is simply to help with their overhead and warehouse costs.
Q: How are you different from a church?
A: At Papa’s Pantry, we do not have worship services, a pastor, or a congregation. We are Christians who absolutely believe that every word in the bible has been written by God – and is true. We honor Him with our work in the community. At our location, we conduct bible studies and our life-skills workshops are based on biblical principals.
Also, not every church has an equal vision or ability for community outreach; while some have enormous programs, others may be growing or building, or simply have a different calling. We are all the part of the same body – just different parts.
It is our goal to work with local churches so they have a stable and reliable referral resource for families that are in need.
Q: What does Church Partnership mean?
A: Church Partnership means that the church supports our ministry financially, and we offer advanced resources for their congregational families if needed. Not to get complicated, but if a partnered church “refers” a family to us, then that family is able to get meat, milk and produce from us on their first visit… we spend money up-front based on our relationship and support from the church. We will also be available to provide additional resources collected during our seasonal events such as Easter, Back-to-School, Winter coats, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Q: What are your needs at this time?
A: -Funds: Basic Operating expenses are $4,000 -$5,000 per month.
-Food Drives: Last year, we distributed approximately $38,000 pounds of food. Our warehouse comfortably holds approximately 5,000 pounds. This means that food drives are needed throughout the year!
-Project HOPE funds – we are hoping to raise specific dollars to help families toward utility bill and rent assistances, estimated monthly amount $1200.00.
-Project HOPE services – we are looking for professionals in the medical, dental, legal, and auto industries who will provide free or discounted services for the families in our program.
