A fundraising account aimed to assist the families of the six poultry workers killed in a nitrogen leak Jan. 28 has been set up through Peach State Bank.
The account, named the Gainesville Family Victim Hope Fund, is a collaborative effort by local organizations and churches to provide monetary support to the immediate families of the victims of last month’s chemical leak at Foundation Food Group in Gainesville.
Art Gallegos with the Latinos Conservative Organization (LCO) said local non-profits have certainly offered immediate in-kind help to the six families, but he said the financial need will be ongoing.
Gallegos said the bank account will be open for donations through the end of May, and then the money will be divided among the families of the six employees who died.
Other employees at Foundation Food Group have suffered financial loss, as well, and Gallegos said efforts are underway to organize help for them, especially since they are out of work for an unknown amount of time.
"You know a lot of them were part of the income, or perhaps they were the sole source of income for that home," Gallegos said.
Despite the tragedy of the deaths, the Gainesville-Hall County community has rallied around those who worked at the facility, according to Gallegos.
"In the midst of a tragedy, we can come together and lift each other up, and that is what I've seen with these families and with the community in general," Gallegos said.
For now, donations to the Gainesville Family Victim Hope Fund can be made by calling Peach State Bank at 770-536-1100 or by simply visiting the bank at 325 Washington Street in Gainesville. Gallegos said he's happy to take personal phone calls if people have questions at 678-614-5011.
