GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — During a hectic holiday season where more people than ever need help with basic necessities like food, local co-op’s are performing a vital task. Those co-ops often need the help of others to just have enough supplies in stock to fulfill their mission.
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Channel 2 News anchor Wendy Corona spoke with the people who run the North Gwinnett Co-op. Executive director Kim Phillips told Corona that despite the supply of gifts they currently have lining the halls of their offices, the need is growing faster than their supply.
“We are starting to see a bit of an uptick now with people starting to face eviction,” Phillips said. “We all hoped that 2021 would be a lot different.”
Brad Williams, who owns and operates two Chick-fil-A locations in north Gwinnett County told Corona he has teams capable of getting food to where it needs to be quickly and efficiently. Williams is teaming up with the co-op to help feed 5,000 people.
“I think people think 5,000 people! Where are you going to find 5,000 people,” Williams said. “But it’s actually really easy to find 5,000 people just in our community.”
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The co-op said they normally serve around 300 families every week. Before the pandemic, the group was able to distribute 171,000 pounds of food to families in need. In 2020, they said that number grew to 546,000 pounds.
North Gwinnett Co-op said they don’t have a full total yet for this year, but the numbers are quickly approaching what they delivered last year.
Phillips said with such a growing need, the only way to keep up is through more volunteers and more donations.
“It’s all through the community support,” Phillips said. “I call them my army of angels and I just kind of coordinate the chaos.”
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The co-op says that for anyone looking to donate, the cost is $10. That donation includes fruits and vegetables that will be distributed beginning Dec. 17. 20% of those proceeds will also help provide the co-op funding to keep the it running.
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