The Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, a non-profit supported by 33 churches, private donations and civic groups, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
In the words of executive director Jackie Wells Smith, it’s mission is to “offer food, clothing and shelter assistance when funds are available,” she said. “We are the lifeline for people on hold during times of crisis.”
And
for its efforts, the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry is our November Citizen(s) of the Month.
Combating food and housing insecurity is the ministry’s primary objective, serving zip codes 30047, 30087 and part of 30084. It distributes a monthly average of 33,500 pounds of food and supports nearly 460 households monthly. A third of its clients are seniors, while others needing assistance are weathering a crisis, such as medical matters, that zap resources.
The ministry operates a thrift store that supports the ministry and offers pantry days from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The food bank is part of the Feeding America network through the Atlanta Community Food Bank system.
During Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the non-profit hands out “feast bags” of holiday goods. It gives toys and gifts to children and seniors during the holidays and sponsors a back-to-school book bag program.
Currently, housing insecurity and homelessness are on the uptick. The co-op answers roughly 20 requests each month for rent and housing assistance and fields up to 30 calls daily for such assistance.
“We have seen an increase in homelessness,” Wells Smith said. “These are people who have some income but not enough to pay for housing. Many have housing vouchers from the county but can’t find a landlord willing to accept the voucher.”
“The LCM’s mission has not changed in 30 years,” Wells Smith said. “Although our budget is $12,000 monthly, the need is twice that amount.”
Volunteers can register and donations can be made through the website at
https://lilburnco-op.org. Donations can also be mailed to 5329 Five Forks Trickum Road, SW, Lilburn, GA., 30047.