The American Legion Posts 7 and 328 are hosting a resource fair for both veterans and the communities next month.
The event will take place at St. John Baptist Church in Gainesville from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday November 2.
"This is a collaboration between the American Legion from Gainesville and the American Legion from Flowery Branch and we've combined efforts with St. John Baptist Church," said Stephen McGruder, a Veteran Representative for the Georgia Department of Labor and a member of the Legion.
Federal, state, non-profit and private entities will be on site offering a wide array of free services and assistance, from a food pantry to health screenings to cold weather gear. In addition, veteran specific help, such as Veterans Services Representatives to help with benefit counseling will be on site.
"It's basically organized in three areas... We have one area that is resources, so people can walk up and talk directly with whatever resource they may need ...Then we have an area that will be giving away food donations... as well as a third area, which is clothes. Clothes, suits, blankets, coats, all donated from the community."
WorkSource Georgia and the Department of Labor will be on site as well for those looking for help finding a new job.
The event is free and open to the public, not just veterans or Legion members. Originally, McGruder said they did a veterans-only event called Stand Down, but found community members came to seek assistance too.
"If we have a blanket or if we have a coat to give out, I don't see any reason why we wouldn't give it out to someone that needed it," said McGruder. "So from that, we call it now the Veterans and Community Resource Fair."
Those interested in donating or assisting with the Resource Fair should contact Stephen McGruder via email.
Annual Veterans Community Resource Fair
Saturday November 2
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. John Baptist Church in Gainesville
