Give More, Wrap Less this Christmas
‘Tis the season for giving and we’re throwing love around like New Year’s Eve confetti. As 2021 comes to a close, each member of the R&R team would like to promote a non-profit that’s near and dear to her heart.
If you’re considering making a charitable gift this season, please consider one of these very special organizations. Bonus: this is one gift on your list that won’t be affected by supply chain issues!
re:imagine/ATL
About: re:imagine/ATL trains, equips, and inspires youth to build careers in the creative and digital media industries via fellowships, councils, and apprenticeships. Since 2014, they have invested in more than 5,000 youths from over 45 schools, and trained over 500 audio/visual teachers throughout Greater Atlanta in partnership with the local media industry. I particularly love that they are focused on young adults from diverse backgrounds, helping them gain access to learning and growth opportunities within the Atlanta creative community.
Why we love them: This year, I am supporting re:imagine/ATL because their mission to train, equip, and inspire youth to build careers in the creative community means a lot to me. I heard about them before but learned quite a bit more about the work they do at the A-Pledge annual meeting and want to support what they do. —Lauren
The Trevor Project
About: A national, 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth, The Trevor Project provides crisis support services for LGBTQ youth in need.
Why We Love Them: The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth. They have so many resources for young people and educational guides on how to become a better ally. —Shea
Atlanta Community Food Bank
About: The Atlanta Community Food Bank is on a mission to end hunger in Atlanta. Every month they receive nearly 9 million pounds of donated food and grocery products, 22% of which is fresh produce. These donated goods are then distributed to more than 700 non-profit partner agencies operating food assistance programs in 29 North Georgia counties.
Why We Love Them: As we near the end of our sophomore year of the pandemic, I’ve become more aware of food insecurity in the Atlanta metro area. Children who once could rely on a meal at school have gone hungry because there wasn’t a school to go to and those who are in transition often go without critical needs such as food, water and shelter. I chose Atlanta Community Food Bank because it’s one small way we can help feed our neighbors and change lives in our own community. —Scarlett & Karen
Open Hand Atlanta
About: Today, Open Hand seeks to eliminate disability and untimely death due to nutrition-sensitive chronic disease. By cooking, packaging and delivering meals to the Greater Atlanta Area, Open Hand will provide nearly 5,000 nutritional meals daily to food-insecure individuals this holiday season and year-round.
Why We Love Them: Since moving to Atlanta some six years ago, I became increasingly more aware of food insecurity in major U.S. cities. Some of Atlanta’s most vulnerable struggle with not having regular or reasonable access to meals. Open Hand has helped to overcome that strain. Having delivered meals with Open Hand, I feel a stronger sense of connection to this city and the wonderful people who live within it. —Lizzy