When there’s a need in Gilmer County, more often than not, the Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store gets the first call.
From helping people pay utility bills in emergency situations, to giving away clothing or appliances at no cost, to providing gas vouchers, the FHC benevolence office works with community members to ensure the right resources are provided to them.
“We’re the big dog in town,” store manager Jan Day said. “We’re the first person that generally somebody will refer to. If we can’t help, we know who else to refer them to.”
The benevolence office is open every Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon. It’s located behind the recycle store at 449 Industrial Blvd.
That’s when someone in need of getting a utility bill paid can bring a photo ID, Social Security card and the bill, and fill out the necessary paperwork to get financial support. Volunteer counselors in the office will then work with them to figure out a solution.
“We sit here and talk to them about why they are behind [paying bills],” volunteer counselor Bonnie Wells said. “We find out what’s going on with them, and then we refer them to other agencies also … depending on what they need.”
They’re budgeted $109,200 a year, which comes directly from the recycle store’s earnings. Ten thousand dollars of that budget is allocated to paying people’s propane bills before they may get cut off.
During the month of January, 80 people signed into the benevolence office. Eighteen of those were new clients, while 62 have been in the office before, according to Cheryl Worley, chair of the benevolence committee. Clients are limited to $300 of monetary assistance per year.
After someone receives monetary funds from FHC, their clients are asked to attend two, free classes through the UGA Extension Office. Those include “Money Smart” and “Nutrition Know-How.” They cannot receive additional money through the benevolence office before taking these classes.
“Our goal with these classes is to help reduce the need for assistance as our clients will learn how best to provide for their futures,” Worley stated in a previous email. “Education is a powerful tool.”
While FHC has its limits of aid that’s able to be provided, they have a long list of county organizations and churches they can call to find the right resource for the situation. For example, if a pregnant woman needs assistance, FHC will refer them to the Safe Choice Pregnancy Care Center in Ellijay.
Twenty-two agencies in Gilmer and surrounding counties use Charity Tracker, to reduce fraud and ensure those who are most in need get assistance. Any monetary aid gets logged in that software.
Beyond paying utility bills, the benevolence office can use their general funding to help send people to the doctor’s office. Wells explained that they have a partnership with Georgia Mountains Health, where they can pay a $25 fee for the visit, instead of the typical cost of $50 or more. They help pay people’s prescriptions through Huff’s Drug Store as well.
During the holidays, the FHC Recycle Store facilitates a Christmas shopping night, where families are provided vouchers for each family member to get presents. Last year, 13 families participated, requiring a total of around $1,171 in funding, according to Worley.
If someone loses a lot of their belongings in a fire or flood, community partners may direct them to the benevolence office to receive donated items. They just ask that they bring in the police report from the incident.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services knows that they can call FHC when a child may be in need of donations from the store. Same with the Gilmer County Warming Center, who may call to get blankets and clothing donated to those staying the night there.
FHC has a GED Preparation Program that offers vouchers to incentivise people to take the steps necessary to get those credentials. They will give gas or clothing vouchers and food, child care or toy allowances as someone takes the in-center classes. They can reimburse the cost of the official GED test as well.
“Education is the most important thing to me,” Day noted. “That’s why I encourage them that once they do the [GED Program], they can go for a college scholarship.”
The benevolence office also gives out tens of thousands of dollars in FHC scholarships for Gilmer High School students. Applications for those can be found on their website.
Gas vouchers are another tool they can provide to their clients. While the Times-Courier was visiting the FHC Recycle Store, a woman came in, saying she needed help getting away from an abusive relationship. The benevolence office was able to get her a $30 gas voucher that she needed.
“If they need to go to the doctor, if they need to go on a job hunt, if they can reason to us why they need the gas voucher, we’ll give it to them,” Worley said.
Wells noted that 78 percent of what the FHC Recycle Store makes goes straight back into the community. The extensive list of volunteers that dedicate much of their time to its success are there to support the well-being of Gilmer County.
“It does my heart good that I can help somebody,” Worley voiced. “I can’t open my wallet and pay somebody’s power bill, but by doing this, we can help so many.”