Simple Needs GA (SNGA) received the largest single donation in its 10-year history—a total of $14,250 raised by the 3,000-member congregation of Linked UP Church in Powder Springs.
“I was floored when a representative of Linked UP told me about this incredibly generous donation,” said Brenda Rhodes, SNGA Founder and President and a resident of East Cobb. “It comes at a time of critical need and will be of enormous benefit to our clients and programs.”
Known for its mission to connect people to God, purpose, family and community, Linked UP Church was founded in 2014 by Pastors Joel and Trish Gregory. As part of an annual day of service held each July, members of the Powder Springs church, located at 4331 Brownsville Road, fan out to do a wide variety of volunteering projects. However, that was harder to do this year as a result of safety concerns around Covid-19, said Kimberley Savage, director of its DREAM Team ministry.
In response, the congregation put a major focus on supporting a nonprofit agency doing essential work in the community, explained Savage, who researched multiple community organizations and eventually settled on Simple Needs GA. “Pastor Joel Gregory said, ‘OK, you have looked at all of these organizations out there. Which one are you feeling in your heart the most?’” Savage recalled. “I said, ‘Simple Needs GA.’”
The congregation then dug deep to donate 100 percent of the $14,250 goal announced by Pastor Gregory. Representatives of the church presented Rhodes, and board members Nancy Riley and Alicia Putnam, with the check on August 7.
Founded in 2010, fast-growing SNGA has distributed thousands of duffel bags of full-sized toiletries to shelter check-ins and people experiencing homelessness. Among other activities, the Marietta-based nonprofit last year brought birthday presents and other useful items to more than 270 homeless children; brought furniture and household items to 151 clients; and provided 166 children in 64 families with $100 in requested Christmas gifts.
At Linked UP, the congregation and its leadership were touched by SNGA’s mission of meeting the often-overlooked needs of people experiencing or transitioning out of homelessness, Savage said. “In this current time that we are in—this pandemic—people need help even more so,” the minister said, “and it’s good to know that people who care are still out there meeting those needs. We hope this donation will shine a light on that.”
For more information about SNGA, email brenda@simpleneedsga.org.
About Simple Needs GA (SNGA)
SNGA’s mission is to meet the simple needs of children, people experiencing homelessness, and others in need, while inspiring our community to do the same. The Marietta, Ga.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit offers several community-based programs. Donors and volunteers provide full-sized toiletries and other useful items to people living in homeless shelters. They furnish tents, sleeping bags, tarps and other essentials to those living in the woods or on the street, and supply families with furniture, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and other household necessities. Other initiatives include providing schoolchildren with required school uniforms; helping social workers buy kids new shoes via gift cards; bringing new presents and other items to homeless children celebrating their birthdays; and providing Christmas presents for children in need. For more info, visit SimpleNeedsGA.org.
