Recently, Food Security for America announced an exciting new partnership with PAWKids!
The Mission of PAWKids is to help children establish an awareness of who they are in relationship to God. To provide a quality after-school enrichment program in a safe, loving, Christian environment where children can thrive and grow. To provide families with various resources that will empower and encourage them while promoting Christian values, building stronger communities, and developing self-sufficiency. This inner-city nonprofit in the Grove Park neighborhood of Atlanta is in a food desert.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic PAWKids was forced to shut down their children's and families' programs. And, like so many, PAWKids adjusted to the needs of the community. A food pantry was born!
FSA, thanks to seed funds from Northside Church, sources and delivers the food to make this food pantry a success.
When conditions allow, the food pantry will transition to FSA's signature Food Security Group (food co-op) model.
Learn more about this amazing 501C3:
The Hope That Started It All -
LaTonya G. Johnston, PAWKids Founder & Executive Director, had a big vision for a children's enrichment program because of her church Atlanta Westside. Inspired by her church's mission to embody and preview the kingdom of God from Bankhead to Buckhead, this vision became the PAWKids story.
Meet Ron Willis...
and Listen to the Hearts of Many FSA Clients!
Dear Friends and Donors of FSA,
It seems that everywhere you look right now, organizations are publishing statements (thank goodness) condemning racism, police killings, violence and looting.
In my recent Bible study the discussion turned briefly to the unrest roiling Atlanta and the country. A friend in the class passed on this wisdom: white people have been telling black people how they should feel for a long time. Maybe it’s time white people listened.
So, instead of composing a statement from FSA, we decided to listen.
The following are quotes from members at a Tuesday night food co-op, all members of the local Black Community and integral leaders in the FSA program:
What they were doing is not a peaceful protest. They need to stop. Just want it all to stop. The killings, the riots. I want peaceful protesting. Killings to stop. Stop profiling. - Mother of son, a high school senior
It’s kind of sad, seeing it all. - Young adult man, there for his mom
Together we stand, divided we fall. My mind is so full right now, I can’t even say anything. It’s unfortunate. [The country’s] trying to get in recovery [from COVID]. Now another spike will be coming. Reminds me of the sixties, when Dr. King was killed. I lived in D.C. It was very harrowing. - Medically fragile adult woman
I was watching it just now. Wish we could all come together. London, Sydney, Paris. Now everyone sees what we’ve been going through. [The supporting protests] made me feel good. - New member
Nicest thing I can say is treat others as you want them to treat you. That’s the nicest thing I can say right now. - Mother of first-grade son
Wish it would all stop. If you don’t heal the hurt, you’re going to bleed all over people who don’t cause the problem. - A founding member
Pictured above is Ron Willis, husband, father and active participant in this FSA food co-op. Ron wants to see peaceful change in the police from the top down, and we are thankful for his strength in our group!
In times of pain and struggle, it helps to plug back into your community. An immediate way to make an impact is contributing to the "No Truck, No Food" Capital Campaign!
Food Security for America needs your help to continue providing food and community here in Atlanta.
If your truck doesn't work, you can't deliver food. It is a sad and scary reality for a food security program. Yet, here we are. The 2001 truck, with 192k miles, that Antoine drives is on its last leg. Antoine has nursed it back to health for the last time. And so, FSA is praying the community hears the call..."No truck, no food!"
Please learn more, ask questions, create a fundraiser of your own, but please help FSA, by raising money or donating towards a new truck!
