How you can help today (Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10:00 am)

Tue, 09/13/2005 - 9:00am
By: Cal Beverly

Food bank needs urgent help
Fayette Samaritans, one of the main food banks serving Fayette County, was down to a two to three day supply of food for local needy families and refugees from Hurricane Katrina Wednesday morning.
Companies that normally provide the Samaritans with food have been instructed to divert the food to victims of the hurricane, said Charlie Charping, administrator of the all-volunteer Fayette Samaritans.
Money donations are crucial at times like these, so the Samaritans can buy food thats lacking on their shelves, Charping said. Checks can be made out to Fayette Samaritans and sent to P.O. Box 1071, Fayetteville, Ga., 30214.
Tuesday, 22 families were served in the 9 a.m.-noon time period the agency is open at 126 Hickory Road, just south of New Hope Road at the rear of the Fayetteville Christian Church campus. Food donations can be dropped off during that time period Monday through Friday.
The Samaritans have a special need for the following items:
Peanut butter and jelly, canned meat and tuna, canned fruit, beans and rice, pasta and sauce, fruit juices, personal care products, new packages of mens underwear and of course, cash donations to help buy necessary food and products that arent donated.
Only 1.4 percent of the Samaritans budget is dedicated to expenses such as utilities, Charping said. And local stores partner with the Samaritans so they can stretch the dollars used to purchase food, typically ground beef, ground turkey and chicken that arent normally donated, he added.

Truck loading near Christ Church Whitewater
An interdenominational community effort is underway to load a truck headed to Biloxi and Gulfport. The truck, driver and gas to make the trip have been donated by Tim Pope and Company.
Donations may be dropped off at 1522 Hwy. S. Fayetteville at the BP station across from Christ's Church Whitewater. Please, no clothes and no water. Items needed are nonperishable food, toiletries, baby supplies, cleaning supplies, cots, pillows, towels, and 16 gallon trash bags. Donations must be dropped off by Friday, Sept. 16. Drop off is open daily from 3 to 6 p.m.
For more information contact Melanie Fienemann at 678-817-7080.

Post Jobs with Fayette Chamber of Commerce
Over the last few months, Fayette County has been affected with many economic hardships that have impacted local residents. Most recently with families moving here from the Gulf Coast, but we have also experienced layoffs at Delta and Photocircuits. In addition, two military bases will close in the next year or two, possible causing more layoffs.
In an effort to help those affected, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Development Authority have partnered together to provide local residents with job seeking resources. Please keep in mind that both organizations are not job placement agencies. The purpose of this information is to provide as many resources as possible for Fayette County residents.
Job Searchers can find information about staffing companies, local job fairs and the Georgia Department of Labor on both organizations' websites at www.fayettechamber.org and www.fayettega.org. The Fayette County Development Authority will also post local job openings and resumes. If you have a job available that you would like to post, please contact Amanda Fields with the Fayette County Development Authority at 770-461-5253. Those looking for work can send a resume or description of job skills to also be posted on the website. This site is in progress, so please check often for updates.
The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses and organizations that work together to promote economic prosperity and to enhance excellent quality of life through strong leadership, networking, education and a variety of programs that encourage partnerships between businesses and our community.

Bookbags, school supplies needed
The newest need for families who have moved here fleeing hurricane damage in the gulf states is for bookbags and school supplies.
Because of the volume of families still registering, there is still a significant need for gift cards and gift certificates to pay for food, medicine, clothing and gas, officials said.
The school supplies will be necessary as many families who have fled the destruction of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will be staying here for some time and their children will enroll in Fayette County schools.
Both gift cards/certificates and bookbags with school supplies can be dropped off at the offices of the Fayette County Department of Family and Children Services, located just south of the Towne Center Kroger shopping center in Fayetteville on Ga. Highway 85 south.
Some 11 families will be able to move in to their own residences Tuesday thanks to a local church, and that number is expected to increase in coming days.

Take donations to Heritage Bank
Heritage Bank at Towne Center located at 855 S. Hwy 85, Fayetteville is happy to offer their facility as a drop off point for Katrina Disaster Relief items. Any items from school supplies to gift cards from local clothing stores will be appreciated. All items collected will be delivered to Fayette County DFACS for distribution. Please call Heritage Bank at (770) 515-7088 for further information.

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