Gwinnett County, facing deep financial challenges, was unable to meet the required financial match to accept $69,411 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant funds targeted to feed Gwinnett seniors in need. Grant funds are distributed through a contract with the Atlanta Regional Commission, as are the other grant-funded programs for seniors in Gwinnett.  Upon finding out that the required county fund match was not available, Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services stepped up to ’save the day.’ 

Friends President Pam Tokarz emphatically stated, “We do not want to lose any opportunity to feed our needy or frail seniors residing in this county.” In lieu of losing these funds to another county, The Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services committed to funding the $12,248 needed to match the stimulus grant funds offer, thereby providing more than 8,600 additional senior meals in the next year.

Faced with continuing state budget cut projections and a monthly meals waiting list nearing 200 seniors, this timely commitment really underscores the value of “knowing who your ‘Friends’ are.”