For over 20 years, Fayette Samaritans has served families in our county that are in critical need of food, clothing and emergency financial assistance.
During 2013, donations remained consistent but families needing assistance nearly doubled. In October through December of 2013, Fayette Samaritans provided assistance to families on over 700 occasions.
With such a demand our resources were depleted. The cupboard was bare.
When our situation became known, the people of Fayette County responded with generous hearts and open hands.
Churches, businesses, civic organizations and school groups collected much needed food and monetary donations. Individuals came to the center with bags of food, wrote checks and said, “I heard you needed help.” Many donations were anonymous.
Fayette Samaritans is a volunteer organization. There are no paid employees and all donations help the families we serve.
Approximately 70 percent of our families have minor children, over 20 percent are seniors with a limited income, and many families are in crisis because of loss of employment.
We have helped families who were homeless find housing or helped people who are in danger of becoming homeless, helped seniors in critical need of medication or medical care, and helped individuals find employment.
Cash donations are used for families in crisis to prevent eviction, disconnection of utilities, or assistance with medical or dental emergencies.
Many lives were touched in the last few months, including those that gave and those that received. To everyone we say thank you and God bless. Fayette Samaritans can serve Fayette County because of the generosity of its citizens.
Please remember that there are families in need not just during the holidays but also throughout the year.
Lena Slaughter, past president
Fayette Samaritans
Fayetteville, Ga.
