Whenever they have the chance, people help out others who may not be as fortunate as them. However, others dedicate their careers to helping others. Alicia Rivera is one such individual. She is the co-founder of Feeding GA Families, an organization that has dedicated itself to providing food to the less fortunate.
Feeding GA Families or FGF was founded in 2010 in Georgia. It is an individual & family services company whose purpose is to combat food insecurity within the communities. The non-profit organization uses the aid of farmers, food banks, grocery stores, small businesses, corporate donors, sponsorships, and volunteers in their crusade to help the communities.
FGF is grounded on an open-door policy, meaning that they make the process as simple as possible. They receive anyone who requires assistance. Their services are also polished to meet the dietary restrictions of the people they help. Based on the food donations and purchases, they work with the shoppers’ dietary restrictions and concerns and consider food allergies, intolerances, vegan diets, and health-related diets, including autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure, among others.
The organization also encourages the inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables in everyday meal planning. Included in their giveaways are fresh produce purchases. They hold programs like vegantry, a weekly market-style assistance program that offers only plant-based, vegan, allergy-friendly foods, focusing on fresh produce and healthier food options for those in need.
The onset of the pandemic has also caused FGF to create a COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance program. The program offers weekly home deliveries or monthly mailed food shipments and direct grocery to home delivery orders through Instacart, Publix, Walmart, and Kroger for senior citizens and medically at-risk households.
Feeding GA Families uses the free market’s assistance service, a weekly market-style program designed to aid families, individuals, seniors, students, and veterans in Georgia. The shoppers are welcome to shop the store shelves for food and other necessities they may need for the week. The items and the quantities vary based on donations and food bank purchases.
They also hold several programs designed to provide aid to the homeless, students, and communities. The programs package food, snack, and care kits distributed to families and individuals in Georgia and, Maryland, and Washington DC. FGF provides their packages to teachers and daycare owners, distributing them to low-income area students in grades pre-k to 12. Feeding GA Families also hold an annual event called Christmas Gift Give-Away, where they give away bikes, toys, shoes, and clothing to children. The gifts are purchased year-round by board members of the FGF. Additionally, Toys for Tots have generously provided toys and books for 2017.
Since its inception in 2010, FGF has expanded from feeding the homeless in Atlanta to providing cooked community meals to hosting two weekly food pantries for those in need. Their services are provided with no questions asked when they are in need without restrictions to residency, prior income, or family size, especially in these trying times.
To learn more about Feeding GA Families, you may visit their website. Their works can also be seen on Instagram.