Growing up near the Hall/Jackson County line, Holly Johnson had seen for herself that needs weren’t always being met, especially around the holidays.
“I’ve always known there was a grave need in those areas… so I wanted to do something to reach those individuals, who maybe didn’t have that kind of connection with some type of homeless shelter, or a church,” said Johnson. “With COVID, with health issues, with everyone being kind of alone this year, I wanted to start an endeavor focused on connectivity.”
Johnson has started a charitable endeavor that is still growing, The Cheerful Comrade, and her first task was to organize something for the Thanksgiving holiday, on the Thanksgiving holiday.
“I’ve taken about 150 RSVPs for (Tuesday) and then Thursday, we’ll actually be delivering to those that can’t come to us physically to pick up some type of meal,” said Johnson. “We’ll also have canned goods and toiletries, there’s really a menagerie of things they can get if they need it.”
Johnson’s budding non-profit saw a niche to make a difference by offering a hot meal on the actual holiday itself. Other organizations, like the Georgia Mountain Food Bank and the Good Samaritan Food Ministry are also trying to fill the niches as COVID-19 amps up needs after job losses, stay-at-home school and other strains.
Georgia Mountain Food Bank Executive Director Kay Blackstock said their organization had to reorganize the way they even provide goods to people.
“We’ve had to change our distribution models to protect the safety of the public and our employees and volunteer,” Blackstock said. “Just a huge impact on the way that we complete our outreach. Our partner agencies have been real troopers, they’ve worked very hard to stay open and work safely, provide food assistance.”
While Blackstock said cars aren’t lining down the block, and their community agencies aren’t reporting dramatic increases, just a steady flow, they know they need to go to the communities that may be struggling.
“I’m not really sure why, but that’s why we’re committed to our program like Neighborhood Fresh, which goes to targeted neighborhoods and areas where we know we’re reaching people that need help, that might not necessarily, for whatever reason, reach out to get it themselves.”
Alvin Bagwell, Director of the Good Samaritan Food Ministry, said they remained steady, except for one specific need.
“We have a station where they can get groceries every 30 days, but we also have a station where they can come Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” said Bagwell. That station features stables like breads, sweets, and meats and produce occasionally. “We have seen that number almost double, where people are coming three times a week.”
Bagwell said they were lucky to have a steady, consistent flow at the ministry, and haven’t had to worry about turning anyone away.
Johnson was worried she wouldn’t have any volunteers to help her deliver meals or craft and pass out care kits, but she was pleasantly surprised how many people wanted to help give back.
Blackstock said they have been supported by the community during the pandemic and were finding new ways to get people involved without putting people at risk.
“Every day we have the phone ringing off the hook with people wanting to help, so we’re working real hard to develop a list of ways people can help without having to come inside the building,” said Blackstock. “Our community is so loving and so generous, they want to help, so we’re providing ways that people can be involved and make a difference. And of course, none of this would be possible without very generous community support.”
She said that includes a project to help the local homeless soon.
Johnson said she planned to push past the pandemic and offer a hot meal and winter care needs for local senior citizens during the Christmas season. She said she hopes her first event and the ones after show the community it’s not just about getting a meal.
“I want them to know that there are people out there that do care, do want to make a difference and do want to help.”
