Cedartown United Fund reports 2015 help
The Cedartown United Fund gave community members who provided help over 2015 a big thanks and pat on the back as they reported their accomplishments in giving back to local residents.
Those accomplishments – funded through the help of donations from a variety of sources – gave Cedartown residents who weren’t able to help themselves the needed bootstraps to start pulling themselves up by in the coming year as the United Fund too looks toward those who need help in 2016.
One of the biggest differences for the organization was a makeover at the office, done with the help of Cedartown High School and assistant superintendent and United Fund board member Greg Teems.
The fund got brand new ceiling tiles and lights in their offices at 44 S. College St.
Materials used in the makeover came from the former CTAE buildings torn down and set to be replaced by the Polk County College and Career Academy.
“We also painted the office and conference room with the assistance of our community service workers,” said Troy Bolt, the administrator for the Cedartown United Fund. “Our facility looks much better with the upgrade, and we are thankful for the help from Polk School District.”
Along with new ceiling tiles and lights, the food pantry got an expansion and two freezers were installed allowing for more storage of food items.
Even with the upgrades to the office, the real work for the Cedartown United Fund in 2015 revolved around giving back to the community.
During 2015 the United Fund served approximately 200 individuals with prescriptions in the amount of $4200. This included heart, diabetes, blood pressure, antibiotics and other non-narcotic medications.
The Clothing Closet served approximately 800 individuals with clothes including coats and shoes.
“We were donated 300 pair of jeans by the national “Jeans for Teens Program” and helped many school age children and teens. The “Our House Thrift Store” donates clothes, shoes, household items etc on a weekly basis,” Bolt reported.
With the expansion of the food pantry, it was able to serve approximately 1,000 families including about 900 children and 360 senior citizens.
“We distributed over 40,000 pounds of food,” Bolt said. “We began purchasing food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank in May 2015 after a series of workshops and application processes.”
“We are now able to purchase food at a fraction of the cost and in bulk,” Bolt added. “We can purchase USDA products such as fresh meat and vegetables and a number of nutritious foods for our Food Pantry.
The Polk County Schools held a food drive during the holidays and we received approximately 5000 lbs of food from Cedartown High School and Youngs Grove Elementary School.
“This really helped out during our busiest time of the year, ”Bolt said.
During 2015, the organization also received food donations the Dollar Tree stores and SaveAlot Food Store.
Around the holidays, the United Fund Christmas Program we gave gifts to about 300 children using the generous donation by Hon Industries as well as money from our general fund.
“We spent approximately $9500 total on toys,” Bolt said. “WGAA radio station held a fund raiser for the Cedartown United Fund during the Christmas holidays and donated about $1000.00 for our toy program Victory Baptist Church assisted the Cedartown United Fund with stuffed stockings and toys for our Christmas Program.”