The Place is the go to agency when residents are in need of food or have an emergency need. The Place continues to prevent deprivation and homelessness in Forsyth County! Food is the most fundamental of needs and by far the greatest one in our community. Our food pantry and Surplus pantry are available six days a week. On Wednesday a Noon Day Meal is provided to approx. 100 guests.
I have been a weekly volunteer at The Place of Forsyth County for several years. I keep volunteering there because:
1. They provide help to many needy people in our community in many different ways (food, shelter, utilities, clothing, school supplies, etc.).
2. They make sure the people they help are truly in need, so those trying to "game the system" don't drain off scarce resources needed by others.
3. They take donated goods & food that might have been discarded eventually, and use them to help the needy -- the best kind of recycling.
4. They are kind, compassionate, competent people who are fun to work with!
The Place is invaluable to our community, the city of Cumming, and the entirety of Forsyth County, GA. From their many food programs to financial assistance with utilities, some medicines, and housing, they literally save lives every day. Whatever the need, they listen compassionately to those deprived of basic needs, and together with them, find creative ways to alleviate their suffering. Though affluent and fast-growing, Forsyth County has a great number of those in nutritional and financial need. They could not possibly survive without The Place. With referrals to other private and government agencies, The Place advises clients of assistance that would otherwise go unrealized. Confidentiality and information security are a high priority and an assurance to all clients; shared only with express written consent. With client permission, information is shared with many community philanthropies like churches and individuals that depend upon the information-gathering efforts of The Place to determine the eligibility of those seeking assistance. The daily operations of The Place are beyond reproach. All donations are applied as designated. Meticulous records are kept to ensure the giving public that their generosity is being applied exactly as desired and where it is most needed. The Place is an exemplary social services organization. And the citizens of Forsyth County are extremely blessed to have it as a vital member of our community.
The Place has helped many people get over the hump when they were in financial distress. They work well with our volunteer organization. We all try to help those in need. When we help the poor, we are helping do god's work.
I have volunteered for more than 13 years at The Placeof Forsyth and it is truly an experience where "you get more out of it than you put in it". Helping the unfortunate is gratifing and useful way
to use ones free time. It is not uncommon the have the recipants express their feelings to us with a "God bess you" and "I really appreciate what you folks are doing". APSmith
I am Betty Schlecht, current President of St. Vincent de Paul in Forsyth County. We work hand-in-hand with The Place in helping people through difficult times in their lives. Without The Place, there would be many more needy who are not being helped.
The Place of Forsyth County does a wonderful job serving people in need of
a hand up. Their entire staff is very committed and compassionate to all of
their clients. It is a shining example of a non profit that makes a real and positive
impact on the people and community they serve.
Staff is devoted to the clients. Donated funds go to directly to services. One of the best bang-for-your-buck organizations.
This organization stands at the very center of most of the emergency help being dispensed in our county.
I have lived in the county for more than 25 years and The Place has been the number one place to start for anyone finding themselves in dire circumstances.
I now volunteer with the St. Vincent dePaul society here and we use The Place frequently for sending some of our clients as well as cross-checking on thier various uses of the different organizations in the county. They are always on top of things and anything we can do for them will always be put to the highest and best use.
I am not a resident of Forsyth County, but I am a fan of The Place because of what they do for their community; so I have become a donor to its cause. The Place of Forsyth County is an Organization that helps people in their county with basic emergency needs. The Place has been providing for its community since 1975 giving hope to those who might not see an end to a means. This organization also collaborates with other non-profits to make sure no one ever goes hungry. Just recently they coupled with the Forsyth County School system and a local church to give Jeans and Sneakers to children in need. The Place definitely makes a difference and the staff is very caring and committed to the cause. Giving to others is what this organization is all about.
The Place of Forsyth is a great organization that serves the homeless and those in crisis in Forsyth County. They not only provide much needed clothing, food and assistance, they also do so in an environmentally sustainable way! The Place made several improvements to their facility to help lower their energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint. They are a truly forward thinking organization that is dedicated to achieving their mission in a sustainable way.
I've been a volunteer at The Place since my retirement in 2007. Prior to my retirement I was the senior pastor for nearly 10 years of a congregation located within a few miles of The Place. I found The Place a most valuable resource while a parish pastor, especially when working with people who came to our church doors looking for assistance. Regrettably, some came to misuse our non-profit and local social support net work in order to maintain unhealthy drug and life style habits that were harmful and dishonest. In order to verify the actual need, it was helpful to contact The Place who on numerous occasions offered us thoughtful insights and support. In summary, The Place is unique in that it serves as a broker agency to neighboring congregations and other helping institutions who wish to use their resources usefully and in a tailored fashion as opposed to simply handing out money.
Since my retirement my wife and I volunteer at The Places' Bread Room once a week, distributing bread and other food goods to those in need. In addition, I occasionally drive the bread truck to pick up dated bread from local grocery stores for distribution through the Bread Room.
It's been my privilege to become acquainted with the paid staff of The Place who offer counsel and support by directing clients to various local resources for physical, mental, and psychological support. Besides the basic needs of food and clothing, The Place also provides short term assistance to pay rent, heating bills, medication and other necessities when life takes a negative turn. Indeed, Forsyth County, Georgia, is fortunate for the safety net The Place provides for those who have lost their way and hope.
My name is Peter Tinkham, District II President and current member of the Board of Directors for Saint Vincent de Paul of Georgia. The Place and Saint Vincent de Paul over the years have worked "hand-in-hand" in vying for systemic change for our clients in Forsyth County.
The Place, especially the case workers, or outstanding!
We need more resources in Forsyth County!
This is a fantastic organization. They do as much as possible to help out their community and are constantly finding new ways to help people. I've volunteered and have also donated to this fantastic organization. Anything that can be done to provide more knowledge about The Place, which in turn will allow them to do more good, is nothing but a great thing.
One thing I love about The Place is they want to give a hand up not a hand out. They assist people in need, but are not enablers. They have been in the community for many years and I know will continue to be a part of the community for many more. We are blessed to have such a great nonprofit in our county. I personally know people that have been through difficult times and were able to come to The Place for assistance. That assistance helped get them through and they are now able to pay it forward.
I have been a board member at The Place of Forsyth County for almost 2 years. I am also a minister at a local church in the county. Because of what I do, I meet many people that are in need, lacking even the most basic of things such as food and clothing. The church in which I serve at has a partnership with The Place of Forsyth County, so we are able to send those that come to our church for help to The Place in order to get them with someone who can put together a short-term and long-term plan to better their life.
The Place offers food, clothing, and supplies to those in need, but it also handles situations on a case-by-case basis to ensure that short-term needs are met and long-term goals are established. The Place is committed to moving people from being in need to being self-supportive. I believe this is one of the ideas that sets The Place apart from other nonprofits. I believe this shows that The Place truly cares for people.
As a board member, I have been impressed and appreciative of the ethical manner in which decisions and affairs at The Place are handled. The director, Sandy Beaver, is committed to keeping the mission of The Place at the front and center, and doing it with integrity.
The Place of Forsyth County exists to:
Embrace the lowliest, educate the illiterate, feed the starving, clothe the ragged, do all good things, knowing we are more than keepers of our brothers and sisters. We are our brothers and sisters...... Adapted from Maya Angelou writings.
I am an avid hiker of the Appalachian Trail, and after reading a book on the AT, it gave me the idea to try and raise money for a local charity while I hike the AT. I came to Sandy with the idea, and she was immediatley onboard, with her help we were able to raise over $3,500 for HIke for Hunger 2012. It was a great success, therefore I am planning this event again for this year for Fall of 2013!
The Place has been a blessing in Forsyth County,GA since 1975 assisting residents with emergency basic survival needs. Residents in crisis come to us when they do not have the means to purchase food or life sustaining medication. If they have a utility disconnect or a threat of eviction we may be able to assist them if it is within our means and we can resolve their situation. We prevent homelessness when it is possible if the person can sustain themselves after receiving assistance. If they are living above their means we can address assisting them with first month rent to get into housing that they can afford. Our thrift store can provide clothing for those who cannot afford to meet their needs. Life sustaining medication assistance or minor emergency dental to eliminate suffering. A Wednesday Noon Day meal and a Surplus food pantry compliments our Food Pantry to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Our objective is to find creative way to alleviate suffering for residents in their time of need.