While at a local emergency shelter on March 21, Simple Needs GA founder Brenda Rhodes got into a conversation with one of the residents who had received a blue duffel bag packed with full-sized toiletries provided by SNGA’s donors and volunteers. “He said the bag was very useful and appreciated, because many of the residents don’t have anything but garbage bags in which to put their belongings,” Benda said. “He added that this donation was different than other things just dropped off. It was obvious that we put thought into the bags.”
Through your financial contributions, in-kind donations and willingness to volunteer, you make it possible for SNGA to brighten the lives of people facing circumstances many of us could hardly imagine. Thanks so much for all your help!
Below is an update on some of the tremendous support we have received over the past month alone. BTW, you might recall that an anonymous donor pledged to match any donation provided to SNGA in the month of March (up to a total of $2,500). If you were planning to make a contribution, there’s one week left in our “March Madness” campaign!
On March 15, we had an incredible volunteer day. A total of 45 people from all over metro Atlanta helped us pack 320 toiletries bags, assemble shelves, put together a birthday package for a homeless child, organize our My Birthday Matters storage area, take inventory and more.
“We had a lot of household donations, many of which will go to the Cobb/Douglas Community Service Board, which helps people get set up in apartments,” Brenda said. A few volunteers even came on Friday night to help SNGA get the warehouse ready for the volunteer day. The eclectic group included experienced SNGA volunteers and members of local churches, high schools, MUST Ministries, Family Promise, JLL Atlanta and IBM. A family of five, who had discovered SNGA online, came to volunteer, and another couple popped by for a tour of the warehouse after connecting with Brenda on Facebook. “They came by for just a tour at 11:30 and then ended up volunteering with us until 1:30!” Brenda said. “Our last donation came in at 1:20! We ended up with some great household donations. I cannot thank everyone enough for all their hard work and energy and the great ‘vibe’!”
Then on March 19, more than 100 volunteers from JLL Atlanta put together more than 300 duffel bags for us, assembled 18 no-sew blankets for My Birthday Matters, and even drove the bags from JLL Atlanta’s office in Buckhead to our Marietta warehouse. Click here to see our press release on JLL Atlanta’s important contribution to SNGA.
Earlier this year, JLL Atlanta ordered and paid for $4,700 worth of supplies for SNGA’s toiletries program. Largely as a result of this, we have been able to expand our program and deliver full-sized toiletries to more than 300 additional shelter residents at Family Promise of Cobb County, The Extension, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia and Zion Keepers!
“Thanks for donating care packs to assist homeless veterans,” wrote Cassandra Lawson of Zion Keepers, on SNGA’s Facebook page. “Being that many of them come in with nothing, you have absolutely met the needs of many! God Bless!”
What a great March indeed! Thanks so much for your support of people in need!
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Simple Needs GA 