Walking out to your front porch could mean the world to someone in need. The national nonprofit PORCH Communities is doing just that in the metro Atlanta area, with a chapter in Marietta.
Here’s how it works: neighbors leave nonperishable food items on their porches. Then, volunteers collect these donations and make sure they reach those who need them most.
Debby Kramb, a volunteer and retired Cobb County teacher, shared her story. “We started by helping Brumby Elementary School with snacks. I saw how important that was for families, and it inspired me to get involved,” she said. Kramb has been dedicated to this effort for nearly four years.
After pickup, the donations are sorted. “It fills me with gratitude,” said Liz Platner, the chapter leader. She started the Marietta chapter in 2022 and noted that demand is still high. “We’re rising to the need. More people need help, but more volunteers are stepping up too.”
Once sorted, the food goes to the Faith Pantry at Faith Lutheran Church. There, volunteers called the “Pantry Chicks” pack it into bags for local families, including seniors. Mitzi Lewis, a Faith Pantry volunteer, explained how crucial these efforts are. “Every month, we deliver about 175 to 200 bags to Brumby Elementary. We dedicate 25 of those for seniors,” she said.
These bags are a lifeline. “If we can help parents by providing meals, it allows them to cover other expenses, like the electricity bill. That’s our goal,” Lewis added.
This community-driven effort exemplifies the power of neighbors helping neighbors, and it’s heartening to see more volunteers joining in. As food insecurity rises—data shows that 13.8 million households faced food scarcity in 2021—initiatives like PORCH are essential.
For those looking to contribute, you might want to check if there’s a PORCH chapter near you or even consider starting one. You can find more information here.
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Georgia, Food & Drink, Food Insecurity
