Nonprofits seek $1 million from county to help feed Cobb residents

Three nonprofit organizations are calling on Cobb County commissioners to allocate funding to help charities feed residents in need.

The Cobb Community Foundation, Cobb Collaborative and United Way of Greater Atlanta NW Region is asking the Board of Commissioners to allocate $1 million to help dozens of organizations distribute food to less fortunate citizens.

The Help Us Help Others campaign launched Monday to encourage commissioners to financially support more than 50 nonprofits who are making sure the county’s most vulnerable have enough to eat.

“Our community is so blessed to have outstanding nonprofits committed to Cobb County, but it’s a struggle to serve this rising tide of people, including thousands of children, in desperate need,” said Shari Martin, president and CEO of the Cobb Community Foundation. “Many organizations have gone into debt to buy food and distribute it. It’s heartbreaking to watch the unprecedented crowds show up to get food boxes.”

Martin said that some local charities are seeing at least four times the number of people seeking help. These nonprofits are also operating with small staff and even smaller budgets.

“For the good of our county, residents followed the government’s edict to shelter in place,” she added. “While that was a good decision in fighting COVID-19, the ramifications will require a community-wide effort as we fight the poverty left in the wake of the virus.”