The Place of Forsyth County, Inc.

As the community and clients have changed, The Place has adapted to the needs. The programs provided by The Place include:

Food Program

Food Pantry

The objective of our Food Pantry is to ensure no one in our community goes without food. The Place receives food from many sources. This community, collaborative effort with churches, schools, local businesses, individuals, and civic groups ensures that our Food Pantry will always be able to meet this fundamental need.
Surplus Food

Surplus foods are picked up and made available six days per week and shared with people that need it. Our policy is to feed any one in need, no one is denied food. This program (assistance) supplements our Food Pantry by providing bread, produce and sweets.
Plant A Row For The Hungry

The Place of Forsyth County, Inc. in participation with the Atlanta Food Bank is the approved Forsyth County site to accept fresh produce for the needy. All donations of fruit and produce are accepted during the growing season and will be distributed daily through our Surplus Food Pantry. We accept fresh fruit and produce donations in the agency Office Monday thru Saturday from 8-11:00 a.m. and 1-2:00 p.m. (the office is closed from 12-1:00 p.m. daily). If you have any questions please call 770-887-1098.
Wednesday Noon Day Meal

The Wednesday meals complement agency food program objectives to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Every Wednesday, a healthy meal is provided to 80-100 people. Sponsors reserve the date, provide the meals, serve the food, and tidy up the room. Sponsoring groups are listed on the agency calendar and they are making a difference.
Senior Luncheon

A monthly luncheon is held in our Activity Center and is sponsored by civic organizations, local businesses and church groups in our community. This luncheon is a key element of our Elderly Assistance Program. This event is held monthly to ensure that we are aware of the needs of this population in our community.
Thanksgiving Food Box Distribution

The objective of this annual holiday food distribution is to provide needy residents with food for the week of Thanksgiving. Families will receive a box of food appropriate for their family size. They also receive a gift card to purchase a turkey/ham or other meat at a grocery store.

Direct Emergency Assistance Program

This is the core program of The Place. We attempt to assist Forsyth County residents with their short term emergency basic survival needs when they are unable to. The resident in crisis should call to schedule an appointment and learn what documentation they he/she will need to bring to the office. We require the following documents :

Photo ID
Proof of Forsyth County, Georgia residency
Documentation to support need (i.e.: the threat of eviction/disconnection bill/foreclosure) *Bill must be in the name of the adult client that lives in the household
Current Food Stamp award letter (all pages) if applicable
Proof of all household income for all household members for the most current 30 day period (pay stubs) and proof of expenditures (receipts or bank printout of activity/payments for the current 30 day period) to justify need
Lease or payment coupon and demand letter

During the interview a caseworker will attempt to address the one most pressing emergency survival need and determine if it is within our means to assist. All assistance must be justified and resolve the crisis. No decisions can be made over the phone and resources are limited. We cannot assist people if their current situation is a result of living above their means and they will be unable to maintain/sustain themselves in the future, but we will evaluate if there are creative ways to alleviate their suffering. There will be times when we will need to make exceptions due to extenuating circumstances but funding does not allow for continual emergency assistance. We are not a governmental agency and assistance is dependant on the generosity of our donors.

This program depends on community donations and any undesignated donations will be used for Direct Emergency Assistance. Our vision is to promote a healthy community by acting as a safety net in our community. Our objective is to serve the greatest amount of people and accomplish the greatest amount of good with limited resources. All assistance we provide must be within reason, be effective and resolve the crisis.

Clients in crisis encounter staff who:

Listen with compassion to their struggles in order to comprehend the situation.

Determine how we can address their most pressing need (i.e. paying a utility bill to prevent disconnection or assist in paying rent/mortgage to prevent homelessness.)

Work to address the more complex, long-term problems facing the client and to encourage clients to develop their own solutions and potential, which may translate to better income and living standards.

A key component of Direct Emergency Assistance is advocacy, education, referrals and encouraging able bodied clients to give back by helping at The Place.

Elderly Assistance
This assistance demonstrates to the seniors in our community that they are valued and ensures that their basic needs are met. These funds are available to assist with emergency medicine, heat and utilities, food and clothing. These funds often prevent homelessness. A key element of Elderly Assistance is a monthly Senior Luncheon in our Activity Center sponsored by organizations in the community.

Emergency Assistance (Assistance of $200 or less)

Extreme Emergency (Assistance over $200)

Hispanic Assistance
Bilingual staff assists the Hispanic/Latino resident with emergency basic survival needs and serves as an advocate and refers to resources during their adjustment to our culture.

ForsythCounty Medical Fund: Medicine or Dental Assistance
The Medical Fund provides clients with a voucher to acquire critical life sustaining prescription medicines and limited emergency dental care to eliminate pain. Primarily funded by an Endowment fund through The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc. and private donations. This assistance is limited to Forsyth County residents that do not have medical insurance.

Youth Program

The Youth Program is to provide unduplicated needs for Forsyth county children living in poverty. The goal is to ensure that the needs of all the children are met thereby building their self-esteem so they may become great assets to the community at large.

Holiday Activities (Easter Baskets)
YMCA Summer Day Camp Scholarships
Back to School - School supplies for needy children enrolled in our program
Christmas. Forsyth County YMCA and their volunteers have officially taken on the Hand Across Forsyth gifting program for needy children. For information if you need help with/or for providing Christmas gifts Children: Contact The YMCA Holiday Giving Tree for Kids Program at 678-341-6337.

Thrift Store Program

The Thrift Store Program works to foster self-respect and dignity for those in need by providing attractive clothing, household goods and furniture through our voucher system or that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Staff members work with County agencies to provide individuals with a supervised work experience. The store has an abundance of quality clothing and unique items providing an ever changing second-hand boutique atmosphere. Items that are not given to the needy are reasonably priced so everyone can afford to shop here.

Shoppers at the Thrift Store are making a difference – all funds generated support agency operations and help ensure we will always be here to help our residents in their time of need. Everyone is encouraged to come and experience one of the best thrift stores in Metro Atlanta.

Thrift Store Vouchers for Basic Needs
On The Job Training
Back To Work Clothing
Inter Agency Child Need Voucher

Other Activities

Walkers, Wheelchairs, Fans, Heaters, etc.
Winter Coats Distribution

Services are coordinated with and referrals are made to local churches, agencies and organizations.