One year ago, on September 7th, 2012 Open Arms pantry began as the brainchild of Chris Calhoun and Rosalyn Griffith. After meeting on an online selling site a discussion of the increasing needs of the community in a bad economy turned into something bigger, it turned into action. They began collecting and distributing goods to those in need and just one year later it has grown to help between 100 and 150 families per week. People from all over our local community get by each month because Rozalyn and her group of volunteers make sure of it. They call on Open Arms when their groceries just won’t stretch to the next paycheck, when there is a baby out of diapers, a family whose old couch just won’t make it another day, a young couple who finds furnishing that new apartment is more than they bargained for, a single mother who has no idea what to do about new clothes for growing kids, or a grandmother that cannot get around without a walker or wheelchair anymore. They call on Roz and her team when things are bleak and they don’t know where else to turn. They will find what they need at Open Arms or they will find a referral to someone who can help. What they will not find is judgments; there is a feeling of acceptance and family as soon as you arrive. Open Arms Pantry is run by a team of people who know what it means to be in a tough spot, most came to Roz in need of one thing or another and stayed to help the next person and the one after that. Open Arms is truly community coming together to help each other up, their motto being Paying it forward with caring and sharing. Roz herself after sustaining a workplace injury found herself on disability and suffering from severe depression. She had to find a way to be needed again. Open Arms in a way keeps Roz going each week too. There is no time to sit around and feel useless when so many people are counting on her and she works hard to assist each and every one who reaches out to her. With the help of volunteers Elena Kirk, Jessica and Thomas Huffman, Bianca Stephens, Cindy and Donald Bentley, Shawnee Petty (of Red Cross), Maryjane Phillips, Chris Pruner, Jason Auntry (of FISH), and Greg Greenlee it gets done. Even the youngest help out Charlie (age 6) fetches needed items, Mason (age 3) sorts clothing, and Brooklyn (1 month) is the cutest greeter ever.
Open Arms receives help from the Red Cross (GA disaster response service), F.I.S.H., and Action but it is donations from the community that are the backbone. When asked what dream donations would make life easier “a building to spread out and sort the donations” was the resounding answer followed quickly by a refrigerated unit for the food items. If you are interested in helping and don’t have a spare building lying around don’t worry things like deodorant, soaps, toothpaste, diapers, wipes, formula, canned food, non-perishables, ladies personal products, gently used furniture and clothing are also in demand. Donations are accepted at the pantry in Between, GA or a pick-up service can be arranged. Donations will also be accepted at Corn Dawgs Rodeo on September 20th & 21st and at Jungle Jog on December 14th at Loganville HS.
For more information check out Open Arms on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/482280935124210/