Around Cartersville

OPPORTUNITY: The Gleaning of Ruth Ministry
DETAILS: The Gleaning of Ruth Ministry has recently started a street ministry soup kitchen. In addition to cooking soup to be delivered to people all around Bartow County, this ministry also provides an immediate needs pantry.
HOW CAN I HELP? The pantry is currently in great need of diapers, dry infant formula and other baby needs.  Also needed are boxed pasta, dried beans, industrial-sized canned goods for the kitchen and regular-sized canned goods for distribution.
CONTACT: For further information or to schedule a pickup tine, please contact Jean Kuykendall at 770.382.2888 or Linda Evers at 770.386.6781.

OPPORTUNITY: Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter
DETAILS: If you’d like to interact with the children, free background checks are required through the Bartow County Sheriff’s Department.
HOW CAN I HELP? Your group can provide dinner for the kids at Flowering Branch, both on weeknights and weekends.  You can also provide weekend activities for them (bowling, going to the movies, etc.)  Mentoring opportunities are occasionally available, too.
CONTACT: Marian Barber, 770.387.1143

OPPORTUNITY: The Women’s Resource Center
DETAILS: The Women’s Resource Center seeks to offer hope and encouragement to women and their families.
HOW CAN I HELP? The center has a great need for formula, car seats (there is currently a waiting list for these), baby food, diapers and other baby items.
CONTACT: For more information or to schedule a drop-off time, contact Cindy Smith at 770.382.7224.

OPPORTUNITY: Bartow Community Food Bank – Empty Food Pantries, Inc.
HOW CAN I HELP? The pantry is in need of any type of item that would be needed in a house: food, furniature, clothing, etc.
CONTACT: 678.721.6468

OPPORTUNITY: Christian League for Battered Women – Tranquility House
DETAILS: The Tranquility House is a 24-hour safe shelter for victims of domestic violence.
HOW CAN I HELP? You can help serve by donating items for the house: toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, Clorox wipes, and $10 Wal-Mart gift cards (to be used for gas).
CONTACT: For more information or to schedule a drop-off time, contact Carolyn at 770.386.8093.

OPPORTUNITY: Etowah Housing Authority
HOW CAN I HELP? The housing authority has a large clothes closet near the Booth museum which “needs a little love.”  You and your group could help organize and straighten up this clothes closet.  The housing authority also sponsors an after-school program from 2:30 to 5:30 on Mondays – Thursdays.  You and your group could come in with arts and crafts or other activities for the kids to do.
CONTACT: Angela, 770.382.1414

OPPORTUNITY: Hickory Log Vocational School
DETAILS: Hickory Log is a personal care home for men with developmental disabilities.
HOW CAN I HELP? You and your group could stop by for a visit and participate in games and recreation, provide dinner, etc.
CONTACT: Greg, 770.382.6655

OPPORTUNITY: North Metro Technical College – Adult Literacy program
DETAILS: This program assists anyone without a high school diploma who wants to improve their skills, get a GED or learn to read and write English.
HOW CAN I HELP? You and your group can help by donating school supplies for adults: notebook paper, pencils, etc.
CONTACT: Angela, 770.382.1414

OPPORTUNITY: The Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter
DETAILS: Since 1996, the shelter has been providing men, women and families with temporary shelter and physical, emotional and spiritual support. The caring staff and volunteers assist the guests with developing and prioritizing goals for their return to the community as productive members.
HOW CAN I HELP? The shelter has had a record numbers of guests in the past 6 months and they have served more families in that time than in the previous 24 months combined.  The increased number of guests have meant the cupboards and refrigerator are often bare for the first time in the shelter’s history. The shelter is also currently assisting their guests with finding jobs.  Please see the shelter’s needs list for ways that you can help.
CONTACT: Deborah, 770.607.0610

OPPORTUNITY: Star Crest and Maple Ridge nursing homes
DETAILS: As you serve those living at these homes, you’ll also be impacting the staff and the extended family of the residents.
HOW CAN I HELP? You can visit residents, play bingo or put on special programs for the residents.
CONTACT: Star Crest: Rita Hudson, 770.387.0662; Maple Ridge: Nola Hall, 770.606.8800

For additional opportunities, you can check out the Bartow County Resource Directory.