Many local organizations offer help when people need it, and at the same time there are people who want to help the organizations meet those needs.
Those were the thoughts of B. Alison Sosebee who said, thinking of the available resources, “They’re here to help you if you need help. If you don’t need help, they need you.”
Sherry Morris, executive director of Fannin County Family Connection, confirmed those thoughts.
In March, the Family Connection Food Pantry served 33 percent more families – 38 percent more people – than in March 2019.
Similar increases have been reported by other organizations. For instance, Snack in a Backpack has increased its weekly packing from 400 to 600 meals.
Meeting more needs requires more funding.
Sosebee decided there should be a simple way to say thanks to those providing help, and at the same time reminding those who want to help that organizations need donations now. Sosebee came up with a simple idea, one that would tie in a message of hope.
Sosebee, who serves as district attorney for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, has purchased black and white signs with the message “In God We Trust.”
These will be placed throughout Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties, and in the Copper Basin area.
Sosebee said, “Help, that hand up in tough times, is important to everyone. That help can be anything from a person or family who needs food to an individual wanting to reach out and make a difference, but doesn’t know what to do.
“When people read ‘In God We Trust’ signs, they can be reminded of how important help really is,” Sosebee said.
With the current situation, the message is also one “that gives hope to those who need it most,” Sosebee said.