The main location for the Real Life Center in Tyrone is moving! The new address is 220 Parkade Court, Suite A, Peachtree City which is just off Ga. Highway 74 south and accessible via Gardner Park.
The Real Life Store at 992 Senoia Road in Tyrone and the new Real Life Store at 400 North Glynn St. in Fayetteville will remain in their present locations. The center’s orchard project (Harvest for Real Life) on the Dogwood Church property in Tyrone, providing fresh fruit for the center’s food pantry, and the monthly Mobile Food Pantry at Grace Evangelical Church will both continue. The mobile unit provides free food for needy families the third Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
“We serve people food at the mobile food pantry as well as through our regular food pantry,” says Cathy Berggren, director. “The mobile food pantry is open to anyone. Other than for an emergency visit, our families coming through the food pantry come through an initial appointment where we take a holistic approach in how to walk alongside them for a one year period. Here we connect them to our programs (these include the food pantry, clothing, financial assistance, career help, etc.) and programs within the community, build a relationship, provide encouragement and accountability, and assist with goals and an action plan as they navigate through the tough times.”
Through the food pantry, the center also serves fresh vegetables (thanks to plant a row for the hungry, local farmers, community gardens and individuals) and fresh fruit through the Harvest for Real Life orchard and Pearson Peach Farms. This also includes bread/pastries picked up from local stores to help stretch the center’s dollar.
“Last year we distributed just over 340,000 pounds of food through our mobile food pantry, food pantry, daily bread and senior box program,” Berggren says. “Folks can drop off donations at any of our locations, and we will get it to the right place. We want to make it as convenient for our community as possible to help their neighbor. Because our food is distributed through our food pantry, it is easiest for us if it is donated through the center, which will now be located in Peachtree City. Clothing, housewares, toys, furniture etc. are distributed and/or sold to raise money for our local families at all of our locations so they can be dropped off at any location. As furniture is often a larger item, our Fayetteville location is the best place to receive it. We can also pick up gently used furniture.”
Last year the centers had 6,457 visits – with the programs designed to encourage long term change, with 250 regular volunteers serving between the five locations. To donate, serve or for more information, call 770-631-9334 or visit www.reallifecenter.org.
