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To reduce childhood homelessness by serving and empowering families through prevention, crisis intervention, housing support, education, and compassionate care management.
Children and their families experience improved stability through reduced homelessness, empowerment, and pathways that support their success.
The Center for Family Resources serves Cobb County families who are experiencing homelessness or those in danger of becoming homeless and empowers them with tools to become self-sufficient.
Our individually tailored supportive services address both immediate and long-term needs. We offer multiple housing programs, employment coaching, and life skills classes to improve family stability.
Our new choice food pantry is brimming with a variety of canned goods, protein-packed options, fresh meat and produce, and other essentials like diapers, personal hygiene items and more.
Our impact in the community is only made possible through the generosity of our donors and volunteers: people dedicated to the prevention of homelessness for families and children right here in Cobb County.

Volunteer at Food Pantry

Attend Volunteer Orientation

Give

Housing Stability Program

Cobb County Magistrate Court Team to Be Honored at 2026 Gala

Point in Time Count – Marietta Daily Journal Article feat. The CFR & CoC

The Heart of Good Health Newsletter

Melanie Kagan Speaks with D2 Commissioner Erick Allen on “Inside the District.”

2023 Annual Report

Report, 2023

2022 Annual Report

Report, 2020

Melanie Kagan

Nurkys Brea

Destiny Collins

Carolyn Bridges

Janene Davis

Elizabeth Roberts-Dixon

Andi Dycus

Lauren Fallon

Charmane Ford

Bria Goeller

Nicole Hodge

Teresa Johnston

Melissa Kirby

Darrel Malloch

Alex Macdonald

Tiffiney Mwaura, MSW

Melissa O’Brien

Alysha Sturgeon

Sonseeharay Tunis-Roberson

Jen Zangari

WE DID IT! THANKS FOR GIVING EXCEEDED ITS FUNDRAISING GOAL! 💚 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible, with a special thank-you to Dr. John Lipman of Atlanta Fibroid Center for his extraordinarily generous gift to help ensure 1,100 families have food on their tables this Thanksgiving. Dr. Lipman shared these powerful words during our 2026 Annual Gala: "When a family gains stability, when a woman has access to resources, when someone is given a real chance to move forward, it changes everything. It changes the life trajectory of that person and their family—even the next generation." That is exactly why this work matters. We aren't just filling Thanksgiving boxes. We are helping families find stability, preserving dignity, and giving children hope for a brighter future. 👏 A HUGE THANK-YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS! 🌟 Presenting Sponsors: Genuine Parts Company and Lockheed Martin 🌾 Harvest Sponsor: Miller Mechanical Contractors & Engineers 🤝 Gather Sponsor: Southwire 🧡 Cornucopia Sponsors: Aqua Underground, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Huff Electric, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Smith + Howard Wealth Management, and SouthState Bank. 💚 Friends Sponsors: Chatfield Contracting, Cobb County Solicitor General's Office, Corient, Ed Voyles Automotive Group, Georgia's Own Credit Union, Henssler Financial, JMW Contractors, Marietta Power & Water, Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele, Parakleet Financial, The Kallgren Charitable Foundation, and Tri-State Utility Products. 📦 In-Kind Sponsors: Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, CW Matthews Contracting Co., Inc., @DCC Auto East/Penske #1, E. Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, Flowers Baking Co. of Villa Rica, Hudson Moving, IAM Local Lodge #709, Keep Cobb Beautiful, Simple Needs, SupplyOne Inc., The Home Depot, and Up Up and Away Junk Hauling. To every sponsor: thank you for investing in our community and standing alongside local children and families. Your generosity is making a difference right here in Cobb County! @atlantafibroidcenter

A BIG THANK YOU to Miller Mechanical for once again stepping up as a GATHER SPONSOR of our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving! 💚 Miller Mechanical has been a longtime supporter of The Center for Family Resources, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued commitment to helping children and families in our community. Their generosity helps make it possible for us to provide Thanksgiving food boxes to 1,100 Cobb County families this year. For a family facing food insecurity, that box means more than a Thanksgiving meal. It means one less worry, groceries to stretch the family budget, and the opportunity to gather around the table and enjoy the holiday together. We are proud to have partners like Miller Mechanical standing alongside us to make a difference. Thank you for helping us keep this important 40-year tradition going strong! Want to be part of the impact? There is still time to get involved! 💚 Learn more or make a donation: https://TheCFR.org/events/#tfg

Strong communities are built when we come together to care for one another. 💚 A BIG thank-you to Cobb Diaper Day for their generous donation to The Center for Family Resources and for helping us make a difference for families right here in our community! For parents already working hard to make ends meet, everyday essentials like diapers can put a significant strain on an already tight household budget. Diapers are expensive, and they are a necessity that families simply cannot go without. Having them available through our Family Cupboard Choice Pantry means parents can take home the supplies their little ones need while freeing up precious dollars for other household expenses like rent, groceries and utilities. This is what community partnership looks like. When organizations come together, we can do more than any one of us could do alone. Every donation, every partnership and every act of generosity helps ease the burden on a family and gives parents a little more room to breathe. We are so grateful to Cobb Diaper Day for recognizing this need and standing alongside us to support Cobb families. Together, we're building a stronger community, one family at a time! 💚 #CommunityPartnerships #CobbCounty #FamilySupport #TheCenterForFamilyResources #TheCFR #CobbDiaperDay @cobbdiaperday

📣 JOB FAIR — YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE! Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us Wednesday, November 4, for a Job Fair featuring more than 20 employers ready to connect with job seekers like YOU! 📍 Chattahoochee Technical College – Marietta Campus Building H 980 S. Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060 ✅ Dress for success ✅ Bring copies of your résumé ✅ Meet employers and explore new career opportunities! Your next job could be one conversation away. Come prepared, make connections, and take the next step toward your future! Questions? Contact NurkysBrea@thecfr.org. 📅 Save the date: Wednesday, November 4! We look forward to seeing you there! @cobbworks @cobbworksourcecenter @eastcobber @mariettadailyjournal

💚 For a family facing food insecurity, a box of food at Thanksgiving means so much more than groceries. It means a parent can take a deep breath. It means children can look forward to a Thanksgiving meal without hearing the worry in their parents’ voices. It means there is food for breakfast the next morning, something to pack for lunch, and dinner waiting at the end of a long day. It means a family can gather around the table, share a meal, and experience a little bit of the joy and comfort that Thanksgiving is meant to bring. For some parents, the greatest gift isn't what's inside the box. It's knowing that, for this week, they don't have to choose between putting food on the table and paying the bills. They don't have to wonder how they will make it through the holiday. That is what our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive is all about. Every box represents a community that cares. Every can, every bag, every donation, and every volunteer helps remind a family that they are not alone. As we prepare to serve more than 1,000 local families this Thanksgiving, we invite you to be part of something that reaches far beyond a box of food. You are helping put Thanksgiving on the table, bring comfort into a home, and give parents one less thing to worry about. Because every child deserves to experience the joy of Thanksgiving, and every family deserves a seat at a table with food to share. 💚 You can help make this possible! Whether you donate, sponsor, host a food drive, or volunteer, there is a place for you in this community effort. Learn how to get involved: TheCFR.org/events/#tfg #ThanksForGiving #TheCenterForFamilyResources #CobbCommunity

💚 When we shared a need, they answered in a BIG way! Last month, Mark and Pat Jackson and the Jonquil City Kiwanis Club graciously invited The Center for Family Resources to speak with their members about our work and the families we serve. When they asked how they could help, we shared that our Family Cupboard Choice Pantry was running low on one of our most-needed items: diapers. This week, Mark and Pat stopped by and delivered enough diapers to fill a huge shopping cart! While they were here, they also took a tour and learned more about how our Choice Pantry gives families access to food, hygiene products, diapers and other essentials while preserving the dignity of choice. We are incredibly grateful to Mark, Pat and the entire Jonquil City Kiwanis Club for listening to the needs of our families and turning that need into action. This meaningful donation will make a very real difference for parents who are working hard to keep their families stable. 💚 Thank you for showing what it means to serve your community! Want to help The Center for Family Resources provide stability and support for local families? Visit TheCFR.org/ways-to-give. @cityofsmyrnaga #TheCFR #cobbcounty

JOB FAIR — SAVE THE DATE! Looking for your next opportunity? Join us Wednesday, November 4 for a Job Fair featuring more than 20 employers ready to meet YOU! 📍 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta Campus, Building H 980 S. Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060 Come dressed for success, bring copies of your résumé, and be ready to connect with employers who are hiring! Questions? Contact NurkysBrea@thecfr.org. Mark your calendar and come ready to make your next career connection! @cobbworks

Thank you to this amazing Wellstar Health System team for giving back to our community! 💚 We were excited to welcome a new group of residents from the Wellstar Kennestone Internal Medicine Residency Program to volunteer in the Family Cupboard Choice Pantry at The Center for Family Resources. From stocking shelves and sorting donations to organizing food and preparing the pantry for our families, these volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got right to work. Their time and energy help ensure that families facing housing instability and financial hardship can choose the foods that best meet their needs. Our Family Cupboard is about more than providing groceries. It is about offering families choice, dignity and one less worry as they work toward greater stability. Thank you to this wonderful Wellstar Kennestone team for spending part of your day with us and for continuing to show up for families throughout Cobb County. We are so grateful to have your support! 💚 Interested in volunteering with The Center for Family Resources? Visit TheCFR.org/ways-to-give to learn more. @wellstarhealth

💚 40 SCHOOLS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR THANKS FOR GIVING! Dr. Patricia Patterson, Principal of Lockheed Elementary School, sees firsthand what Thanks for Giving means for children and families in our community. In this video, she shares why this 40-year tradition matters and the difference it makes for families during Thanksgiving break. This year, we are proud to have 40 schools across our community hosting Thanks for Giving food drives! That is 40 school communities coming together to help make sure families have food on the table when schools are closed for the holiday. And there is still time to join them! Schools, businesses, churches, organizations and community groups can still host a food drive, and everyone can help by making a donation. Help us make our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving one to remember and ensure our neighbors have the support they need this Thanksgiving. Host a food drive or donate today: TheCFR.org/events/#tfg 💚 Every donation. Every food drive. Every school. Every business. It all adds up for families. @mariettacityschools @lockheedjets

We are incredibly grateful to Pinnacle Financial Partners, a Cornucopia Sponsor of our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving, for their continued commitment to The Center for Family Resources and the children and families we serve. 💚 Their support goes far beyond sponsorship. Alice Dondelinger, Senior Vice President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, serves on our Board of Directors, generously sharing her time, leadership and passion for our mission. And the entire Pinnacle team consistently shows up — volunteering, giving and finding meaningful ways to support our work throughout the year. That kind of partnership is something special. 👏 As we celebrate 40 years of Thanks for Giving, we are especially grateful for community partners like Pinnacle Financial Partners who don't just support an event — they stand alongside The Center for Family Resources and the families we serve year after year. Thank you, Alice, and thank you to the entire Pinnacle Financial Partners team. You are truly awesome, and we are so fortunate to have you in our corner! @pnfpbank 💚#theCFR #CobbCounty #Cobbleaders #Cobbgives

WE’RE 53% THERE — HELP US REACH 100%! 💚 This Sunday, we’re celebrating that we’ve reached 53% of our fundraising goal for the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving — and we need our community to help us cross the finish line! Every gift helps The Center for Family Resources provide Thanksgiving food boxes to local families so they can gather around the table and enjoy the traditions that make the holiday special. Will you help us get from 53% to 100%? 💚 Donate to Thanks for Giving: TheCFR.org/events/#tfg Together, we can make this 40th year one to remember for Cobb County families!

💚 WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET US OVER THE TOP! We’re more than halfway to our fundraising goal for the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving, and Melanie Kagan, CEO of The Center for Family Resources, is asking our community to help us finish strong! For 40 years, our community has come together to make Thanksgiving brighter for local families. Help us celebrate this milestone by sponsoring, donating or hosting a food drive in your community or at your business! 💚 Join us and help make our 40th year one to remember: https://thecfr.org/events/#tfg

It's wonderful when neighbors help neighbors! Thank you to Donna and John Kappers, pictured here with our Rapid Rehousing Case Manager Tiffiney Mwaura. Donna and John donated items collected by their Bunko group to help us restock our choice food pantry. It's always appreciated when we receive personal hygiene items like these and diapers, as these are items we often run low on. To learn how you can help stock our pantry and to help children and families in Cobb County who face homelessness and food insecurity, visit TheCFR.org/ways-to-give. #TheCFR #cobbgives

💚 Thank you, Paragon, for making a difference in our community! We loved welcoming the Paragon team to The Center for Family Resources’ Choice Pantry! Your team rolled up its sleeves to volunteer, donated 500 pounds of food, and made a generous financial contribution to support children and families across Cobb County. Your generosity goes beyond stocking pantry shelves. It helps families put food on the table, eases the worries of parents working to provide for their children, and ensures kids have the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive. We’re grateful for community partners like Paragon who give their time, resources, and energy to make a meaningful difference. Thank you for standing alongside us and helping us build a stronger, more stable community for the families we serve! #TheCFR #CommunityImpact #VolunteerTogether #FoodInsecurity #Paragon

💚 Celebrating 40 Years of Thanks for Giving! We’re excited to introduce Grant Rivera, Superintendent of Marietta City Schools, who is joining us in celebrating the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive! 🎉 This community tradition has brought people together to help ensure local children and families have food on the table and can continue their Thanksgiving traditions. This milestone year, the need is great, and we need YOU to be part of it! How can you get involved? 💚 Donate: Help provide Thanksgiving food to more than 1,000 Cobb County families. 🤝 Become a sponsor: Help make this milestone food drive possible for families who need it most. Explore sponsorship opportunities. Please reach out to MelissaObrien@TheCFR.org. 🥫 Host a food drive: Rally your school, business, church or community group to collect food. 🙌 Volunteer: Join us November 16–20 to help sort, pack and distribute Thanksgiving food boxes. Find volunteer opportunities All opportunities can be found at: TheCFR.org/events/#tfg. Together, we can make our 40th year the most impactful yet! #ThanksForGiving #TheCFR #MariettaCitySchools #CommunityImpact @mariettacityschools @cityofmariettaga1834

We're just 4 weeks away and half-way to our goal! Join us in making this Thanks for Giving the best yet! View our latest letter to learn ways you can help at bit.ly/4sduiRs .

💚 Watch Melanie Kagan, CEO of The Center for Family Resources, share how YOU can make a difference for families in our community! Your generosity helps The Center for Family Resources provide critical support to families in our community, from keeping a roof overhead and food on the table to helping parents build a more stable future for their children. With the support of our sponsors and donors, we can continue to make a lasting difference for Cobb County families. 💚 Your gift can make a difference: ✔️ $1,250 provides rent for a family at risk of homelessness. ✔️ $500 helps provide hot water and keep the lights on. ✔️ $250 helps a family with childcare assistance. ✔️ $100 provides groceries for a single mother. ✔️ $75 provides a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need. ✔️ $50 provides household items for a grandparent caring for a child. 💚 Looking for a bigger way to make an impact? ✔️ Become a CFR Champion with a gift of $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000 to support our programs and services. ✔️ Become a sponsor and invest in the stability and future of Cobb County families. ✔️ Make a recurring donation to provide year-round support for families who need it. Every contribution helps children thrive, gives parents a chance to move forward and strengthens our community. Will you join us in making a difference? Watch Melanie's video, then visit TheCFR.org/events/tfg to make a gift or learn how you or your business can support our mission. Thank you to our presenting sponsors @genuine.parts.company and @lockheedmartin.

💚 THANK YOU to the team from FairSquare for volunteering at The Center for Family Resources’ Choice Pantry, The Family Cupboard! Your time and hard work help us keep our shelves stocked, our pantry clean and organized, and food accessible to local families who need it. By pitching in, you help create a welcoming space where families can choose the food that best meets their needs with dignity. We love welcoming local businesses and community groups to volunteer with us! Interested in bringing your team to The Center for Family Resources? Learn more about volunteer opportunities at TheCFR.org/get-involved. Thank you, FairSquare, for being part of the work that helps Cobb County families build a stronger foundation for the future! 💚 #TheCFR #CobbCounty #volunteeringmatters

💚 We’re 46% of the way to our goal! Help us get the rest of the way there. Every dollar in support of our Thanks for Giving program helps to make children and families have a stable future. Your gift stays right here in Cobb County and helps The Center for Family Resources provide essential programs and services that provide financial literacy, job skills training, life skills and food and other household essentials through our Choice Food pantry. YOUR GIFT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 💚 GIVE $1,250 to help provide rent for a family at risk of homelessness. 💚 GIVE $500 to help a family keep the lights on and hot water running. 💚 GIVE $250 to help a parent with childcare assistance. 💚 GIVE $100 to help provide groceries for a single mother. 💚 GIVE $75 to help provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need. 💚 GIVE $50 to help a grandparent caring for a child with essential household items. 💚 GIVE A RECURRING DONATION to provide ongoing support for families throughout the year. 💚 BECOME A CFR CHAMPION with a gift of $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000 to support the programs and services local families count on. We’re making progress, but we still need your help! Every contribution brings us closer to our goal and helps ensure children and families in Cobb County have the support they need. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4hD9ZIs Interested in hosting a food drive? Reach out to melissaobrien@thecfr.org. Thank you to our presenting sponsors Genuine Parts Company and Lockheed Martin. Together, we can make a lasting difference in our community! @genuine.parts.company @lockheedmartin

🍂 Our Fall 2026 Newsletter Is Here! There’s a lot happening at The Center for Family Resources and our Fall Newsletter brings it all together 📰 Inside this issue: 🏠 What's behind metro Atlanta’s eviction numbers? Read CEO Melanie Kagan’s recent article examining why metro Atlanta leads the nation in eviction filings—and why we need to look beyond the numbers. An eviction filing is not the same as an eviction. Understanding the difference matters when we’re working to keep families housed and strengthen our community. 🦃 40 years of Thanks for Giving! Celebrate the history of our annual food drive and discover how you can help us provide Thanksgiving food to more than 1,000 Cobb County families this November. 💚 A story of hope from a family we serve. Hear directly from a client about how The CFR’s Choice Pantry provides more than food—it offers dignity, choice and hope during difficult times. 🙌 Ways to get involved! Explore volunteer opportunities, learn how to support our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive, and get your official Thanks for Giving T-shirt! 🎯 We’re only 45% of the way to our fundraising goal, and we need your help! Every sponsorship, donation, volunteer hour and food drive contribution helps make Thanksgiving possible for local families. 📖 Read the Fall 2026 Newsletter and find your way to make a difference: bit.ly/3VLk4Mf 💚 Help us celebrate 40 years of Thanks for Giving by helping Cobb County families keep their Thanksgiving traditions alive. Together, we can make a difference! #TheCFR #cobbcountyga #cobbcounty

📚 The Comfort of a Good Book 💚 A big thank-you to Emma Coven and her Walton High School-based group, Courage Through Chapters (CTC), for donating 100 books for children and adults to The Center for Family Resources! CTC is a student-led organization dedicated to collecting and donating books to children and families going through challenging times. Their generosity will bring comfort, joy and the power of reading to the families we serve. At our Family Cupboard Choice Pantry, our on-site play area gives young children a place to play while their parents shop for food. Now, thanks to CTC, children will have even more books to explore and the opportunity to choose a book to take home and make their own. 📖 Thank you, Emma and Courage Through Chapters, for reminding us that a book can open doors, spark imagination and make a difficult day a little brighter. We’re grateful to have you as part of our community! 💚 #TheCFR #CourageThroughChapters #CommunityImpact #LiteracyMatters #BuildingStrongerFamilies @couragethroughchapters @cobbcountyschools @walton.high.school

Metro Atlanta leads the nation in eviction filings—but what do those numbers really tell us about housing stability? In a new opinion editorial for the Marietta Daily Journal, Melanie Kagan, CEO of The Center for Family Resources, looks beyond the headlines to examine what happens between an eviction filing and a family losing its home. She shares why early intervention matters, what we’ve learned through Cobb County’s Housing Stability Court, and why investing in solutions that prevent homelessness should be a community priority. Because the outcome that should concern us most isn't an eviction filing. It's a preventable episode of homelessness. Read Melanie’s op-ed in The Marietta Daily Journal. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/4hGYn76 To learn more about how The Center for Family Resources helps children and families who face homelessness and food insecurity, visit TheCFR.org. @cobbcountygovt #TheCFR #Cobbcounty #Cobbcountyga #Cobbevictions

📦 Thank you, SupplyOne! 📦 We are incredibly grateful to SupplyOne in Atlanta for their generous donation of boxes for our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive! These boxes, with our logo and handles, play an important role in helping us get Thanksgiving food into the hands of more than 1,100 Cobb County families this year. Thanks to SupplyOne, we can pack and distribute holiday food boxes that help families celebrate Thanksgiving with the foods and traditions they love. For 40 years, Thanks for Giving has brought our community together to make sure families facing food insecurity can experience the joy of Thanksgiving. Support from generous partners like SupplyOne helps make that possible. 💚 Thank you! To learn more about The Center for Family Resources, how we help children and families in Cobb County who face homelessness and food insecurity and more about our Thanks for Giving Program, visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg . This link provides a sign up to host a food drive, donate and/or sponsor our event! Join us and SupplyOne in making the holidays happier for families right here in our community! @supplyone_ Inc. #ThanksForGiving #40YearsOfGiving #SupplyOne #CobbCounty #FoodInsecurity #Thecfr

Looking for your next opportunity? Your next job could be one conversation away. Join us for a FREE Job Fair and meet with local employers who are looking for great candidates. Come dressed for success and bring plenty of copies of your resume! 📍 Chattahoochee Technical College – Marietta Campus 980 S. Cobb Dr., Building H Marietta, GA 30060 🗓 Wednesday, November 4 ⏰ 10 a.m.–1 p.m. At the Job Fair, you can: ✔️ Explore job opportunities ✔️ Meet with local employers ✔️ Distribute your resume ✔️ Learn about training and support services ✔️ Make connections that could lead to your next career opportunity Admission is FREE, and everyone is welcome! Presented by Cobb WorkSorce Georgia and The Center for Family Resources. Come prepared, make connections and take your next step toward employment! #TheCFR #CobbJobs #NowHiring #CobbWorkSourcega @cobbcountygovt @worksourcega @cobbworks

We’re so grateful for the continued support of SouthState Bank as a Cornucopia Sponsor of our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive! 💚 SouthState has been a consistent and important part of Thanks for Giving—not only through their sponsorship, but also through their time and talent. Their team has volunteered on our planning committee and shown up year after year to help make the event a success. Their partnership helps us provide Thanksgiving food boxes to 1,000+ Cobb County families facing food insecurity, and we’re so thankful they continue to be part of this tradition. Thank you, @southstatebank for helping make Thanks for Giving possible and for being such an important part of our CFR family! 💚 If you would like to join us in hosting a food drive, sponsoring or volunteering at the 2026 Thanks for Giving event in Marietta, visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg. #southstatebank #TheCFR

🏫 Schools, we’d love to have you join us for Thanks for Giving! 💚 Why do schools participate? 💚 “We are a major recipient of the support and half our school is in a position to help and wants to!” 💚 “As an IB School, our students are focused on actionable items that they can do to make our school and community better!” 💚 “Helping others.” 💚 “It’s a way to give back to the community.” We couldn’t agree more! Through our partnership with @cobbcountyschools and @mariettacityschools, schools help collect food for our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive—and school counselors help connect Thanksgiving food boxes with families who need them. This year, we're working to provide 1,000+ Cobb County families with the food they need for Thanksgiving. Your school can help! Host a food drive, get classrooms involved, or find your own creative way to give back. Every contribution matters. Interested in participating? Visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg or email MelissaOBrien@TheCFR.org. 💚 Let’s make Thanksgiving brighter for families across Cobb County—together! Thanks to our presenting sponsors @genuine.parts.company and @lockheedmartin!

🍂 The October issue of The Heart of Good Health is here! 💚 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a great reminder to make your health a priority. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, healthy habits and recommended screenings can support your overall health and may help detect breast cancer early. And there’s plenty more inside! 🎃 Our Food of the Month is pumpkin, with an easy pumpkin cookie recipe to try, plus fun no-carve pumpkin crafts the whole family can enjoy. Take a few minutes to check it out and share it with someone you love! 💚 #TheCFR #healthyliving #cobbcounty #CobbCountyGA @cobbcollaborative To learn more about The Center for Family Resources Choice Pantry, visit TheCFR.org.

We are so grateful to Southwire for joining us as a Gather Sponsor for the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive! 💚 Southwire didn’t just show up for Thanks for Giving last year — they showed up in a BIG way. Their incredible team brought a large crew of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and helped us pack, sort and prepare Thanksgiving food for families across our community. Their time, energy and willingness to jump in made a real difference. Now, they’re back again — this time as a sponsor helping us make sure more children and families facing homelessness and food insecurity have the food they need for Thanksgiving. This is what community looks like: showing up, giving back and working together to make sure families right here in Cobb County have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity and hope. Thank you, Southwire, for continuing to stand with The Center for Family Resources and the families we serve. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership! 💚 #ThanksForGiving #Southwire #CommunitySupport #FoodInsecurity #CobbCounty #TheCFR @southwire

We were so pleased to welcome Solicitor General Makia Metzger and her team from the Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office to The Center for Family Resources today! We are incredibly grateful for their support of our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive. The Solicitor General’s Office has generously joined us as a Friends Level Sponsor, and their team is also planning to host a food drive to help provide Thanksgiving meals for local families. We are honored to have the support of an office so dedicated to serving and strengthening our community. The Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office works to promote public safety, support victims and families, and serve Cobb County with fairness, accountability, and compassion. Thank you, Solicitor General Metzger and team, for standing with local families and helping us make our 40th year of Thanks for Giving one to remember! 💚 Together, we can help ensure more families have the food they need to celebrate Thanksgiving together. To learn more about The Center for Family Resources Thanks for Giving food drive, visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg. @cobbcountygovt @cobbsolicitorgeneraloffice #TheCFR #cobbcounty

We’re 40% of the Way to Our Thanks for Giving Fundraising Goal! 💚 As we celebrate the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive, we’re excited to share that we’re already 40% of the way toward our fundraising goal! To mark this special anniversary, we’d love to welcome 40 sponsors for 40 years of Thanks for Giving! For four decades, this food drive has helped families in Cobb County who struggle with food insecurity to maintain the traditions that make Thanksgiving meaningful—gathering around a table, sharing a meal, and creating memories together. Will you join us in making this milestone year one to remember? Your sponsorship helps us provide food to more than 1,000 families who need it and continue the important work we do here at The Center for Family Resources. Become a sponsor today! 🔗 Visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg to sign up. Questions? Reach out to Melissa at MelissaOBrien@TheCFR.org to learn more. Let's celebrate 40 years of Thanks for Giving by making an even greater impact, one family at a time! 💚 #ThanksForGiving #40YearsOfGiving #TheCFR #CommunityImpact #CobbCounty

We were honored to receive a proclamation from the Cobb County Board of Commissioners recognizing 40 years of Thanks for Giving! 💚 We are so grateful for this meaningful recognition and for the opportunity to celebrate this milestone with our community. It was especially wonderful to have our former CEO, Jeri Barr, join us for this special occasion. Her leadership and dedication have helped shape the legacy of Thanks for Giving, and we were thrilled to celebrate alongside her. For 40 years, Thanks for Giving has helped families across Cobb County maintain the tradition of gathering around their own tables, preparing meals with their own recipes, and creating meaningful memories together. We are proud of the difference this tradition has made and look forward to continuing its legacy for years to come. Want to be part of this year's Thanks for Giving Food Drive? You can join us by volunteering, organizing a food drive, or finding other ways to support families across Cobb County. Visit TheCFR.org/events/#tfg to learn more and get involved! Pictured left to right: Board Member Jarrette Burckhalter, District 2 Commissioner Erick Allen, CEO Melanie Kagan, Former CEO Jeri Barr, Director of Community Relations Melissa O’Brien, Mindy Dondelinger, Board Member Alice Dondelinger, Mike Dondelinger, Board Member Kelli Westerman, Pope High School Teacher Tiffany Dahlberg, and Board Member Nehemiah Pace. #ThanksForGiving #40YearsOfGiving #TheCFR #CobbCounty #CommunityImpact 💚#TheCFR #cobbcounty #cobbcountyga @cobbcountygovt @cobbcountyschools @pope_highschool @cdhpartners @ey_us @pnfpbank @_ambsports_

40 Years of Thanks for Giving. A Partnership That Makes a Difference. 💚 For 40 years, Thanks for Giving has brought our community together around something that matters: making sure families have the food they need to celebrate Thanksgiving in their own homes, with their own traditions and recipes. Throughout that history, Lockheed Martin has been an important part of making this tradition possible. Their continued generosity and commitment to The Center for Family Resources help us reach families across Cobb County and ensure that the spirit of Thanksgiving is shared with those who need it most. As we celebrate our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving, we are proud to recognize Lockheed Martin as a Presenting Sponsor and grateful for the trust and partnership they have continued to invest in our community. Thank you, Lockheed Martin, for helping us make a difference for families, year after year. Your support reminds us what is possible when a community comes together. 💚 Help us continue 40 years of Thanks for Giving. Sponsor, host a food drive or learn how your group can get involved: https://thecfr.org/events/#tfg To volunteer as a group, contact MelissaOBrien@thecfr.org. @followers #TheCFR #ThanksForGiving #lockheedmartin @lockheedmartin

Bring Your Passion for Events. Build Relationships. Make an Impact! The Center for Family Resources is looking for a Development Manager to lead fundraising events, build meaningful partnerships, and help raise critical support for Cobb County families. This hands-on role is perfect for a creative, organized, relationship-driven professional who enjoys bringing people together for a meaningful mission. You’ll help plan and execute signature fundraising events, manage sponsorships and vendors, engage donors and volunteers, and cultivate relationships with corporate and community partners. Working closely with the Director of Community Relations and CEO, you’ll help grow fundraising revenue, strengthen donor relationships, and turn events into lasting impact. Ready to make a difference? View the full job description here: https://bit.ly/4h6uWMR 📩 To apply, send your resume to: JaneneDavis@TheCFR.org & MelissaOBrien@TheCFR.org. Join our team and help build a stronger foundation of stability for Cobb County families! 💚 #developmentmanager #CobbJobs

A big thank you to Hightower Trail Middle School for their incredibly generous donation of toothpaste to The Center for Family Resources’ Choice Pantry! 💚 It’s donations like these that make a real difference for the children and families we serve. Personal care items can be easy to overlook, but they are an important part of helping families build a foundation of stability and maintain dignity. We are so grateful to the students, families and staff at Hightower Trail Middle School for thinking of our neighbors and helping stock our pantry! Want to help? If your school, business, church, civic group or community organization would like to support our Choice Pantry and/or our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving food drive, we would love to hear from you. Contact MelissaOBrien@theCFR.org. To learn more about how The Center for Family Resources helps children and families in Cobb County who face homelessness and food insecurity, visit TheCFR.org. #thecfr #hightowertrail @hightowertrailms @htmsptsa @cobbcountyschools

40 years of neighbors helping neighbors. 40 years of Thanks for Giving. 💚 For four decades, our community has come together to make sure local families have food on the table for Thanksgiving. This year, we’re celebrating the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive, and we want you to be part of it! Our goal is to provide Thanksgiving food to more than 1,000 families across Cobb County—and we need our community behind us to make it happen. Want to help? 💚 Host a food drive at your business: We’re currently looking for local businesses to join us. Sign up below. 💚 Sponsor Thanks for Giving: We’re also seeking businesses to help make this 40-year tradition possible. 💚 Volunteer: We need volunteers November 16–20 to help sort, pack and distribute food. know! 💚 Make a monetary donation: visit the link below. If you’re not familiar with The Center for Family Resources and the work we do to help children and families facing homelessness and food insecurity in Cobb County, you can learn more at TheCFR.org. Thank you for being such a generous community. We're so grateful to have neighbors who help make sure families in our community have food on the table for Thanksgiving. 💚 TheCFR.org/events/#tfg

A Legacy of Impact, One Family at a Time. 💚 For decades, Genuine Parts Company has stood alongside The Center for Family Resources and our community, helping make Thanks for Giving possible year after year. As we celebrate the 40th Annual Thanks for Giving, we are incredibly grateful to have GPC with us as our Presenting Sponsor. Their longstanding commitment to our community is more than a partnership—it is a legacy of impact. Because of businesses like Genuine Parts Company, we can come together this Thanksgiving to provide food and traditional holiday meals to more than 1,000 families across Cobb County throughout Thanksgiving week. Thank you, GPC, for believing in this community, supporting our families and helping us continue a tradition that has meant so much to so many for 40 years. We are so grateful to celebrate this milestone with you. 💚 A Legacy of Impact, One Family at a Time. Want to be part of Thanks for Giving? To sponsor or host a food drive visit: https://thecfr.org/events/#Thanks. To volunteer as a group, please reach out to MelissaOBrien@thecfr.org. #TheCFR @genuine.parts.company

40 years. Thousands of families. One incredible Cobb County tradition. 💚 Our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving is coming up, and we want YOU to be part of the celebration! Show your support for The Center for Family Resources and this special 40th anniversary by ordering your Thanks for Giving T-shirt! Wear it proudly during the food drive, while volunteering, or anytime you want to show your support for helping families across Cobb County. 👕 T-shirts are $25 each, and a portion of every shirt sale supports The CFR and our mission to help local families build a foundation of stability. Let’s celebrate 40 years of neighbors helping neighbors—one shirt at a time! Order your 40th Annual Thanks for Giving T-shirt today by visiting bit.ly/4xHe70s. #TheCFR #ThanksForGiving

Soap. Shampoo. Toothpaste. Toilet paper. Laundry detergent. They’re the everyday essentials we might not think twice about—but when a family is working to regain stability, having these items can make a real difference. They help turn a house into a home and give families the dignity of having the things they need for everyday life. 💚 Our Choice Pantry is always grateful for donations of personal hygiene and household products. And one of the easiest ways to help is to host a hygiene drive! Bring together your church group, neighborhood, school, workplace, or friends and collect the essentials our neighbors need most. Fill a box. Fill a trunk. Fill a shelf. Every item helps. 💚 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps keep our Choice Pantry stocked and makes it possible for Cobb County families to choose the essentials that are right for their households. Want to organize a drive or donate? Visit https://amzn.to/3SUBv8E to see items needed for the Choice Pantry, and visit TheCFR.org to learn more about other ways you can help. #TheCFR

Hey! Check out who's in Cobb In Focus magazine on page 20-21! Learn about the history of Thanks for Giving and how we plan to celebrate 40 years of helping families keep their Thanksgiving traditions alive! We're so grateful for our longtime presenting sponsors @lockheedmartin and @genuine.parts.company , as well as our partnership with @cobbcountyschools and @mariettacityschools. If you want to support Thanks for Giving by sponsoring us, hosting a food drive or volunteering, learn more at Thecfr.org/events/#Thanks. Have questions? Contact MelissaOBrien@thecfr.org. To view the full issue, visit: Issuu.com/newsouthpublishing/docs/cobb_in_focus_sept-october_2026. @cobbinfocus_magazine

Bring Your Passion for Events. Build Relationships. Make an Impact! The Center for Family Resources is looking for a Development Manager to help turn big ideas into successful fundraising experiences that directly support Cobb County families. This is a hands-on, high-energy role for a relationship builder and organized event professional who enjoys bringing people together around a meaningful mission. You’ll help coordinate The CFR’s signature fundraising events from concept to completion—including planning, budgets, logistics, sponsorships, vendors, volunteers, donor engagement, and post-event evaluation. You’ll also cultivate relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, donors, and community leaders while helping grow the organization’s fundraising pipeline and revenue. Working closely with the Director of Community Relations and CEO, you’ll play an important role in developing fundraising strategies, managing donor information in our CRM, and ensuring every event delivers an exceptional experience and strong financial results. Most importantly, you’ll be an ambassador for The CFR in the community, sharing our mission, building meaningful partnerships, and helping more people understand how they can make a difference. If you’re creative, organized, relationship-driven, and ready to turn events into impact, we want you on our team! Send your resume to JaneneDavis@TheCFR.org & Melissaobrien@TheCFR.org. #TheCFR #NowHiring #CobbJobs #cobbcounty

The Center for Family Resources is looking for a compassionate, resourceful Direct Services Case Manager to walk alongside Cobb County families facing homelessness, financial hardship, and other barriers to stability. In this hands-on role, you’ll work directly with families to understand their needs, develop individualized plans, connect them with community resources, and provide ongoing support as they work toward greater stability. You’ll help clients navigate challenges related to housing, finances, employment, food security, education, and other essential needs—while treating every person with dignity, respect, and compassion. If you’re a compassionate problem-solver who believes every family deserves the opportunity to build a stable future, this is your chance to make a difference—one family at a time. Send your resume to JenniferZangari@TheCFR.org. #NowHiring #TheCFR #CobbJobs

Happy Labor Day from The CFR! 💚 The Center for Family Resources will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, September 8. Today, we’re especially grateful for the incredible work of our case managers and entire staff, who show up every day with compassion, dedication and a commitment to helping Cobb County families build stability. Their work isn’t always easy, but it is always meaningful. From helping families navigate housing challenges to connecting them with resources and support, our team makes a difference every single day. We appreciate our team today and every day. Thank you for all that you do for the families we serve! 💚 #TheCFR #LaborDay

Charity can change the world—but it can also change a life right here at home. 💚 Today is International Day of Charity, a global day that celebrates the power of generosity and volunteerism to ease suffering, strengthen communities and bring dignity to those who need a helping hand. While charity is a global idea, its impact is often felt closest to home. Here in Cobb County, your generosity helps families facing homelessness, housing instability and food insecurity find more than temporary assistance—it helps them find a path toward stability and a stronger future. Whether you give, volunteer, donate essential items or rally your church, neighborhood or workplace to help, your kindness matters. For families served by The Center for Family Resources, your generosity can be the beginning of something much bigger. Give where you live. Give where it matters. Give hope. 💚 Learn how you can make a difference: TheCFR.org/ways-to-give. #TheCFR #InternationalDayOfCharity #GiveWhereYouLive #CobbCounty #CommunityOfCare #GiveHope

Soap. Shampoo. Toothpaste. The everyday essentials that make a house feel like home. 💚 Our Choice Pantry is always grateful for donations of personal hygiene products. These items may seem simple, but for a family working to regain stability, they can make a meaningful difference—and they are an important part of helping families feel cared for and supported. Looking for an easy way to help? Host a hygiene drive! A church group, neighborhood, school, workplace or group of friends can collect these everyday essentials and make a big impact together. Fill a box. Fill a trunk. Fill a shelf. Every item helps. 💚 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who keeps our Choice Pantry stocked with the essentials Cobb County families need. Want to organize a drive or donate? Visit https://amzn.to/3SUBv8E. Take a look at our website at TheCFR.org to learn more about how you can help in other ways, too! #TheCFR #ChoicePantry #CobbCounty #CommunityOfCare #GiveBack

A little help can go a long way. 💚 Did you know your everyday grocery shopping can help families in our community? When you enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program and select The Center for Family Resources as your organization, Kroger makes a donation to The CFR based on your purchases. There’s no extra cost. No extra shopping. Just groceries you were already planning to buy—and an easy way to give back to Cobb County families. Shop for your family. Help another family, too. 🛒💚 Learn more about The CFR and our work to help families build stability and move forward at TheCFR.org. #TheCFR #KrogerCommunityRewards #CobbCounty #CommunityMatters

💌 Notes from the Heart A handwritten letter arrived at our office. In a world of emails, text messages and quick replies, there is something incredibly special about receiving a letter written by hand—especially when it comes from someone whose life has been touched by The CFR. This beautiful note came from a former Employee Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) client who reached out to share how grateful she is for the help she received during a difficult season for her and her husband. She wanted us to know that the assistance meant more than we could ever imagine. Her words were a beautiful reminder that behind every request for help is a person, a family and a story. What may feel like one more day of serving families to us can be a life-changing moment for someone who is struggling to keep their home, put food on the table or simply find a way forward. Thank you, for taking the time to put your gratitude on paper and for reminding all of us why this work matters so much. 💚 #TheCFR

Your time can make a difference. 💚 There are families in our community who need a helping hand—and sometimes, that help starts with a volunteer who simply shows up. At The Center for Family Resources, our volunteers help make our work possible. From serving in our Choice Pantry to helping with special events, food drives and other opportunities, there are so many ways to lend your time and talents. You don’t have to have special skills. You just have to care. Bring a friend. Gather your coworkers. Invite your church group. Get your neighborhood involved. When we come together, a few hours of your time can make a lasting impact for a Cobb County family. Ready to get involved? We’d love to have you volunteer with The CFR! 💚 Visit TheCFR.org/get-involved to learn more and find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you. #TheCFR #Volunteer #GiveYourTime #CobbCounty #CommunityStrong #MakeADifference

A house becomes a home with the little things. And thanks to POpShelf, families in Cobb County are getting more of those little things. 💚 A huge THANK YOU to POpShelf for your incredibly generous donation of housing supplies and personal hygiene products to The Center for Family Resources! When a family has experienced homelessness, getting into a home is a life-changing milestone—but it’s just the beginning. Having a place to sleep is essential. Having the everyday items that make that space feel like home can be just as meaningful. Cleaning supplies. Household essentials. Personal care products. The things many of us reach for without a second thought can mean so much to a family rebuilding their lives. Personal hygiene products, especially, provide more than basic necessities—they can restore a sense of dignity, confidence, and normalcy during a time of tremendous transition. Your generosity helps families move beyond simply having four walls around them and begin creating a place where they can settle in, feel comfortable, and start fresh. POpshelf, thank you for seeing the importance of these everyday essentials and for giving so generously to the families we serve. Your kindness is making a very real difference—and we are so grateful for your partnership! 💚 #ThankYouPopShelf #CommunityPartners #HousingStability #FamilySupport #TheCenterForFamilyResources #TheCFR pOpshelf

Another incredible team making a difference! 💚 A big thank-you to another group of residents from the Wellstar Kennestone Internal Medicine Residency Program for volunteering at The Center for Family Resources’ Family Cupboard Choice Pantry! Your team jumped right in—sorting donations, stocking shelves, organizing the pantry, and helping us keep this important resource ready for the families we serve. At the Family Cupboard, families experiencing homelessness and financial hardship have the opportunity to shop for the foods their families need and enjoy the dignity of choice. The work our volunteers do behind the scenes helps make that possible. We’re incredibly grateful for your willingness to give your time and serve our Cobb County community. Thank you for being part of The CFR family and for bringing your compassion beyond the walls of Wellstar Kennestone. 💚 Want to volunteer with The CFR? Visit TheCFR.org/ways-to-give to learn more. #VolunteerAppreciation #FamilyCupboard #Wellstar #CommunityPartners #TheCenterForFamilyResources #TheCFR

We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Housing Innovation Forum: Housing & Savings. The Center for Family Resources CEO Melanie Kagan joined regional leaders to discuss the realities of family homelessness and housing instability across our region—and the innovative ways communities can respond. Melanie shared how The Center for Family Resources and the Cobb Homeless Alliance are bringing together prevention, housing interventions, case management, financial stability supports, and cross-sector partnerships to help families not only secure housing, but build the stability they need to remain housed. Together, we can create stronger pathways to housing stability for families across our community. 💚 #TheCFR

A BIG thank-you to the Kennesaw Business Association (KBA) for awarding The CFR $500 from its S.U.P.E.R. Women in Business Conference to support our 40th Annual Thanks for Giving food drive! 💚 Held last week at Marietta Country Club, the conference brought together more than 150 women in business, along with local sponsors and speakers, for a day focused on connection, inspiration and community. S.U.P.E.R. stands for Support, Uplift, Promote, Encourage and Refer—and KBA put those words into action by reinvesting in our community and recognizing the businesses and individuals who continue to invest in KBA and the conference. We’re grateful to be part of a community that believes in supporting local families. Thank you, KBA, for helping us make Thanksgiving brighter for Cobb County families! 💚 To learn more about how you can help with this year's Thanks for giving, visit thecfr.org/events/. @kennesawbiz

We Need You in the Choice Pantry! 💚 Our Choice Pantry helps Cobb County families access the food and essential items they need—and we need volunteers to make it happen! Whether you can give a few hours once in a while or volunteer regularly, your time makes a difference. From stocking shelves to helping families select what works best for their household, every volunteer plays an important role. Ready to lend a hand? Visit /thecfr.org/get-involved/ to learn more and sign up. 💚 Volunteer with The CFR. Help a family. Strengthen our community.

WILL YOU BE A PART OF THE LEGACY? We hope you join us in celebrating 40 years of Thanks for Giving! For four decades, our community has come together to help Cobb County families facing difficult times share a meaningful Thanksgiving meal. Since the program began, approximately 60,000 families have received food to help feed their families throughout Thanksgiving week. This year, we hope to provide Thanksgiving meals for more than 1,000 families—but we need your help. We hope you donate, host a food drive or volunteer to help us collect, sort, pack and distribute more than 75,000 pounds of food the week of November 16-20. Will you join us? To donate, host a food drive or learn more, visit bit.ly/3RORh7Z. For group volunteer opportunities, contact DoraLocklear@thecfr.org. BE A PART OF THE LEGACY! #TheCFR

Our Summer Newsletter is here! 💚 Take a look inside for a sneak peek at the 40th Anniversary of Thanks for Giving; the exciting announcement of where in the world we’re headed for our 2027 Gala; a message from our CEO on the continued uncertainty of federal funding; a look inside the lives of those we serve through "The Dignity Project," and so much more. There’s a lot happening at The CFR—and we’d love for you to be part of it. Read the newsletter today with this link: https://bit.ly/3UcG8yq #TheCFR #cobbcountyga #homelessnessawareness

Our Choice Pantry needs personal hygiene products! 🧴🪥🧼 For families facing homelessness and food insecurity, essentials like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant and other hygiene items can be difficult to afford—but they are so important to a family’s health, confidence and dignity. You can help by purchasing much-needed items directly from our wish list. Every donation makes a difference for a Cobb County family in need. Sign up to donate here: https://amzn.to/3SUBv8E 💚 To learn more about how The Center for Family Resources is helping children and families, visit TheCFR.org. Thank you! #TheCFR #cobbcounty

You can make a difference for families in our community every time you shop at Kroger! 💚 Simply enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program and select The Center for Family Resources as your organization. Then, Kroger will donate to help support our mission based on your everyday purchases. It’s an easy way to give back while doing your regular grocery shopping! 🛒💚 Want to know more about The Center for Family Resources and how we support Cobb County families who face homelessness and food insecurity? Visit TheCFR.org. Kroger #TheCFR

Homelessness doesn’t begin when someone loses their home. Often, it begins much earlier—with an unexpected expense, a job loss, rising rent or a crisis that makes it impossible to keep up. That’s why prevention matters. At The Center for Family Resources, we work to help Cobb County families facing housing instability before they become homeless. Through rental assistance, housing support, employment services, financial education and other resources, we help families overcome challenges and remain safely housed. Preventing homelessness means protecting more than a home—it means helping families hold on to stability, hope and a path forward. 💚 #TheCFR #CobbCountyga #cobbcounty

Help us celebrate 40 years of Thanks for Giving and spread the word all across Cobb County this autumn! 💚 Our special 40th Annual Thanks for Giving T-shirts are now available for just $25. Wear yours to work, around town and throughout the community to help celebrate this milestone and encourage others to join us in making a difference for Cobb County families. 👕 Get yours here: bit.ly/4xHe70s Choose to have your shirt shipped to your home or pick it up at Shirt Shanty’s Marietta location. A portion of every purchase supports the programs and services of The Center for Family Resources. Volunteering as a company team? Purchase shirts for your group and wear them throughout the autumn to help spread the word and invite other businesses to be part of this special 40th anniversary. Looking for a team-building volunteer activity for the week of November 16-20th? Contact DoraLocklear@TheCFR.org. Let's wear our Thanks for Giving pride all autumn long! 💚#TheCFR #CobbCounty #CobbCountyga

What if you could walk in someone else’s path—just for a few minutes? Homelessness is more than not having a place to live. It can mean choosing between rent and medicine. Between childcare and work. Between putting food on the table and paying a bill. And sometimes, one unexpected setback can create a ripple effect that feels impossible to overcome. We created The Dignity Project - Walk Their Path simulation to help our community experience some of those difficult choices firsthand—and, most importantly, to build empathy and understanding for the families who face them. You don’t have to wonder what you would do. Take the journey. Make the choices. See where they lead. 👉 Experience Walk Their Path: bit.ly/3RKwYZn To learn more about how The Center for Family Resources is helping children and families right here in Cobb County, visit TheCFR.org. #TheCFR #cobbcountyga #cobbcounty @cobbhomelessalliance

Thank you to the team from Purchasing Power for taking the time to volunteer with us in our Choice Pantry today! 💚 Your team helped make a difference for families in our community by giving your time and energy to support our neighbors facing food insecurity. We are so grateful for your partnership and for rolling up your sleeves to serve alongside us! Is your company looking for a meaningful way to give back? Bring your team to volunteer with us at The Center for Family Resources! Learn more about volunteer opportunities and how your company can get involved: thecfr.org/get-involved/. Thank you for helping us build a stronger community, one family at a time. 💚 @purchasingpower #TheCFR

💚 What an incredible morning at our Bridge Builders Breakfast: The Dignity Project! Our Bridge Builders event is an opportunity to introduce new people to the mission of The Center for Family Resources. Guests participated in an interactive experience designed to give them a glimpse into what it can feel like to face the difficult choices, unexpected setbacks, and hidden challenges that can lead families to homelessness. Through the scenarios, participants experienced firsthand how one decision can create a ripple effect and how quickly a family can move from stability to crisis. Most importantly, they learned how The Center for Family Resources helps families navigate those challenges, regain stability, and move forward. A special thank you to our generous sponsor Genuine Parts Company for helping make this meaningful experience possible. 💚 We appreciate Chattahoochee Technical College for its fantastic meeting space! You can experience a "Walk Their Path" scenario, our online simulation, here: 👉 bit.ly/3RKwYZn Want to help families move from crisis to stability? Become a Bridge Builder with a one-time or recurring donation: 👉 bit.ly/3S38b2I #TheDignityProject #WalkTheirPath #TheCFR #BridgeBuilders #EndHomelessness #CommunityImpact @genuine.parts.company @chattahoocheetech

💚 Notes from the Heart #5 This week’s "Notes from the Heart" comes from a client who participated in our Housing Security Program—a partnership with Cobb Magistrate Court that helps families who are facing first-time eviction to stay housed. This program has positively impacted more than 100 Cobb County families--helping to keep children housed one family at a time. 💚 This is why we do what we do. #NotesFromTheHeart #HousingSecurity #TheCFR

Make a Difference! 💚 Position: Direct Services Case Manager Organization: The Center for Family Resources Location: Marietta, Cobb County, GA At The Center for Family Resources, we work every day to help children and families facing homelessness find stability, hope, and a path forward. We’re seeking a compassionate, motivated Direct Services Case Manager to join our mission-driven team. In this role, you’ll work directly with families, connect them to critical resources, and provide support that empowers them to achieve long-term stability. Your work will make a real impact—helping keep children housed and families together. We’re looking for someone who is empathetic, organized, and passionate about serving others in a collaborative environment. If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference in your community, apply today to MelissaKirby@TheCFR.org. #CobbJobs #thecfr #CaseManagerJobs #cobbcounty #cobbcountyga

Here’s August’s “Heart of Good Health” newsletter! This month, we’re sharing a simple back-to-school recipe featuring roasted chickpeas — a delicious, nutritious snack that’s easy to make and perfect for busy families. We’re also celebrating yogurt as our Food of the Month! Packed with protein and nutrients, yogurt is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed on its own, added to smoothies, or used in a variety of healthy recipes. To learn more about The Center for Family Resources Choice Food Pantry and the healthy variety of foods available to help families create nutritious meals, visit TheCFR.org/the-family-cupboard/. #TheCFR #backtoschool #CobbCounty @cobbcountyschools @mariettacityschools

We're grateful to Representative Devan Seabaugh for the invitation for our CEO Melanie Kagan to visit the Georgia State Capitol and share more about the work of The Center for Family Resources and the challenges families in our community are facing. The conversation provided an important opportunity to discuss the realities of family homelessness, the barriers that can lead to housing instability, and the collaborative solutions needed to help families move from crisis to stability. At The Center for Family Resources, we believe lasting change happens when communities, service providers, and leaders come together with a shared commitment to helping families regain their footing and build a foundation of lasting stability. Our work goes beyond providing immediate support. We help families access resources, build stability, and create a path toward long-term self-sufficiency. We appreciate Representative Seabaugh, Governor Kemp’s Deputy Policy Director, and all those committed to exploring practical solutions that strengthen families and communities across Georgia. To learn more about The Center for Family Resources and how we help children and families in Cobb County, visit TheCFR.org. #TheCFR

It's not every day that our office is filled with 15 smiling young hearts! 💚 Friday, an amazing group of children from New Vineyard Ment-4-Me Summer Camp in Austell brightened our Friday by delivering backpacks for local children facing homelessness and food insecurity. These backpacks are more than school supplies. They're a lesson in kindness, compassion, and the power of giving back. The children asked thoughtful questions, eagerly learning who they were helping, and their faces lit up with pride when they realized the difference they were making. Thank you, New Vineyard Church, for raising a generation that understands the joy of helping others. Your generosity—and your visit—made our day so much brighter and will make a child receiving a new backpack smile! 💚 #TheCFR

Thank you to Temple Kol Emeth and the East Cobb Lions Club for their generous donation of personal hygiene kits! 💚 The timing couldn't have been better. Our supply of personal care items was running low, and these donations will make an immediate difference for the families we serve. Pictured is Mary from the East Cobb Lions Club delivering these much-needed items. When families are struggling to afford rent and put food on the table, necessities like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products often become items they simply can't afford. While food and housing come first, access to these everyday essentials provides something just as important—dignity. Your generosity helps ensure our neighbors don't have to go without the basic personal care items that allow them to feel confident, healthy, and cared for. Thank you for helping us provide dignity and hope to families throughout our community. 💚East Cobb Lions Club Temple Kol Emeth-Marietta, GA @kolemeth #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #DignityMatters #CommunitySupport #TheCFR #eastcobblions #templekolemeth

We hope you join us at the National Night Out tonight at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta! Look for our table under the blue tent. We'll have a cool giveaway, information about our programs and services and friendly smiles from our CFR team! See you there! 💚 @cobbcountygovt @cobbcountypolicedepartment

Smiles, service, and community! 💚 Thank you to the volunteers from the Wellstar Kennestone Internal Medicine Residency Program for spending part of your day at The Center for Family Resources' Family Cupboard Choice Pantry. Your team helped stock shelves, organize food, and prepare the pantry so families experiencing homelessness and financial hardship can shop with dignity and choose the items that best meet their needs. Every box sorted and every shelf stocked helps make a difference for our neighbors in Cobb County. Thank you for sharing your time, energy, and compassionate hearts with us. We are grateful for your partnership and your commitment to caring for our community—both inside and outside the hospital. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at The Center for Family Resources, visit TheCFR.org/ways-to-give. #VolunteerAppreciation #FamilyCupboard #Wellstar #CommunityPartners #TheCenterForFamilyResources #TheCFR @wellstarhealth

"This program opened doors for me." 💚 Notes from the Heart #4 💚 This week's "Notes from the Heart" comes from a client whose life began to change through our Employment Services program. Finding a job is about more than filling out applications. It's about building confidence, learning new skills, creating a strong résumé, preparing for interviews, and finding employment that leads to long-term stability. Through our partnership with CobbWorks, Inc., we're able to provide the guidance, training, and support people need to secure meaningful employment and build a brighter future. A stable job can mean stable housing, financial independence, and hope for what comes next. Every note reminds us why this work matters. 💚 To learn more about The Center for Family Resources and our programs and services that help families who face homelessness and food insecurity, visit TheCFR.org. #NotesFromTheHeart #EmploymentServices #CobbWorks #HousingStability #TheCFR #cobbcounty @cobbworks

THOUGHTS ON HOMELESSNESS By Melanie Kagan When most people hear the word homeless, they picture someone sleeping under a bridge. But that's not what homelessness usually looks like. It looks like Monica. She works full-time, earning $22 an hour. She pays $1,700 a month in rent. After rent, utilities, insurance, groceries, and daycare, there's almost nothing left. Not because she's irresponsible. Because the math simply doesn't work. Then life happened. Her car needed a $600 repair. Daycare increased by another $150 a month. By March, she couldn't make rent. By April, her landlord filed for eviction. Hoping to avoid additional fees, she moved into a motel with her two daughters, thinking it would only be temporary. Months later, they're still there. She still goes to work every day. Her daughters still go to school. She still shows up for parent-teacher conferences and cheers at her daughter's cheerleading practice. But it's been months since they've had a home-cooked meal because a motel room doesn't have a kitchen. She feels like she's failed her children. She's embarrassed to ask for help. This is homelessness, too. One of the biggest myths about homelessness is that people don't work hard enough. Many do. They're your receptionist, your favorite restaurant manager, the cashier who knows your name, or the parent sitting beside you at your child's swim lesson. Here in Cobb County, nearly 2,600 students are experiencing homelessness. More than half are living in motels, and nearly 600 are sleeping in cars or outside. The families we serve don't need judgment. They need the opportunity to recover from one unexpected expense, one missed paycheck, one medical bill, or one rent increase that pushed an already fragile budget beyond its limits. Homelessness isn't always visible. Sometimes it's wearing a name badge, dropping kids off at school, and smiling through the workday while wondering where everyone will sleep next month. Before we assume we know what homelessness looks like, maybe we should look a little closer. To learn more about how The Center for Family Resources is helping children and families here in Cobb County, visit TheCFR.org.

It's more than just a backpack. It's dignity. It's confidence. It's one less impossible decision for a parent already struggling to keep a roof overhead. Inside this dinosaur backpack are about $150 worth of school supplies—binders, composition notebooks, rulers, pencils, and everything a student needs to start the school year prepared. For a single mother of three earning just over $3,000 a month, that's $150 she doesn't have to spend while trying to pay for groceries, transportation, or a motel room. Instead of worrying about school supplies, she can focus on keeping her family safe. And her child? They get to proudly walk into school carrying a backpack they love, with everything they need to learn. They don't have to feel different. They get to start the school year with confidence and dignity. Here in Cobb County, nearly 2,600 students are identified by Cobb and Marietta schools as experiencing homelessness. Every backpack donated is more than a gift to a child—it's a reminder to a family that their community sees them, values them, and is walking beside them. Thank you to KIDS CARE for their donation of 60 backpacks and to everyone who helps make moments like this possible. @kc2018org If you want to help children and families in Cobb County who struggle with homelessness and food insecurity, visit THeCFR.org/ways-to-give. #thecfr

Sometimes, hope looks like a car full of backpacks. Today, we loaded up 60 backpacks generously donated by KIDS CARE, each packed with approximately $150 worth of school supplies—from binders and composition notebooks to scientific calculators, USB drives, rulers, and so much more. For families already struggling to pay rent, keep the lights on, or put food on the table, back-to-school expenses can feel overwhelming. These backpacks help lift that burden, allowing parents to focus on what matters most—helping their children start the school year ready to learn. Thank you to KIDS CARE and the local businesses and community groups across Cobb County who made this possible. Your generosity is giving students more than school supplies—you're giving them confidence, opportunity, and a strong start to the school year. Together, we're making a difference, one backpack at a time. 💚 @kc2018org @cobbcountypolicedepartment

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