This review is for the donation pick-up customer service only:…read more Meh. I've experienced better. I've tried reaching out to the donation line on a couple of occasions and the customer service is horrendous. Not only does the woman on the phone seem annoyed with your call, but she's also the manager and always acts as if it's not her decision to take items or not. I guess I'm not too disappointed because the antique furniture I wanted to donate FOR FREE, I ended up selling for a pretty penny. However, I do wish that they were more transparent with their donation pick up/delivery service. After several back-and-forth emails and phone calls, I was told the reason my items were rejected is that they "didn't have room," which I believe was a lie - but that's neither here nor there. I wouldn't try reaching out to them in the future.

If you like to be more hands on with your giving back, I suggest this organization because you can…read moreget involved and help build homes yourself.

Quality of food excellent. Value very good. They give products that a family can actual ly use.read more

I came to the ACFB for a volunteer event with my work. This was my second time back. I always enjoy…read moremyself when I come here. The staff is all so nice and they do such a great job at explaining what ACFB is all about and how we can all do our part to contribute to something for a greater good. Both times I went, I was sorting food and making sure the appropriate things were getting passed through, and discarded if they weren't. I always have so much fun doing this, and the time just goes by so quick. It never really feels like you're working when you come here. It's just so much fun being with so many people all there for the same reason. I definitely plan on coming back in the future.

The City of Refuge is located in the most dangerous zip code in all of Georgia per capita - 30014…read more(Atlanta's West Side). Within this complex are a host of individual ministries that have come together for the hope of transforming lives in the community; primarily homeless women. My family and I just completed a weekend serving as volunteers @ the City of Refuge and I have simply been blown away by the experience. THE SCENE In 1970, an organization called "Mission Possible" started a feeding program in Atlanta. By 1997 it was re-incorporated as CITY OF REFUGE. In 2003 Pastor Bruce approached the owners of 200,000+ sq ft abandoned warehouse that was in bad repair. The owners wanted 1.6 million dollars, but Pastor Bruce asked if they would consider donating it instead. As you might expect, he was rejected. However, 6 months later the owners did indeed gift the warehouse and its 8 acre tract to the City of Refuge. Relocating to this space would allow them to expand services & reach more people, not only offering a refuge from crisis, but a place to restore their health, self-respect & transition into lives of personal responsibility, value & independence. But that was not without its challenges. Pastor Bruce petitioned the Atlanta City Council for a license as a homeless shelter. He was denied... TWICE! Two years later in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans & Atlanta found itself hosting thousands of displaced families. Space was desperately needed. Shirley Franklin (the mayor at the time) called Bruce to asked if he would consider being a shelter. Pastor Bruce explained he'd petitioned the city twice before and was rejected. Shortly after this phone call, City of Refuge was cleared to operate as a homeless shelter. The shelter provides: - Emergency shelter - 40 individual, hotel-style units for mothers w/children - Single women's shelter (100 beds) - Unwed teenage mothers - Young females rescued from sex trafficking (short term) - and currently under construction is long term care for sex trafficking victims who cannot be placed at other shelters due to criminal records or mental illness. On site, these ladies have access to a wide variety of benefits including lawyers, child care, schools, case managers, after school programs, job training, medical/dental clinics and transition into permanent housing. All of which operate behind a secure metal gate where even the Security Guard has an amazing testimony. Students from nearby Georgia Tech and Morris Brown College regularly help tutor the young students living here. Kindred Spirits House is the name of the section of the shelter that provides housing for teenage moms who were in the foster system, but have no family support. These moms are allowed to stay one year after their baby is born. In that time they work on receiving a high school diploma, practical mothering skills and healthy delivery. Two very impressive opportunities for growth and job placement are the culinary classes and auto mechanics program: The culinary class teaches valuable culinary skills that have helped 100% of its participants get jobs in Atlanta restaurants. Atlanta is experiencing a huge food renaissance and the need for skilled cooks is HUGE. The program also offers catering & a food truck as a way to help fund this educational benefit! NAPA auto parts chain partnered with City of Refuge to build an on-site auto mechanics shop as part of their job training program. Here is where the City of Refuge reaches out to the male population in the surrounding community as well as its female residence. If accepted into the program, NAPA guarantees jobs to all graduates of this 6 month mechanics course. THE EXPERIENCE We volunteered for a weekend through the 'overnight experience' ministries called RestorationATL (RATL for short). The motto of this ministry is to spend time WITH the residents and not just come in and drop off money or gifts and say "have a nice life" as you leave. We had the entire weekend to getting to know many of these ladies and their wonderful children. Just being here to help with the kids and give them much needed attention and kindness was a blessing. Mom's get a chance to breathe and socialize, kids get new playmates and all get to experience what it feels like to be part of building a community. Look for my RATL review coming soon for the details of our experience. FINAL THOUGHTS The goal of this ministry is simple. Develop a plan of action and set time frames for the achievement of those plans which address employment, housing, educational, physical/mental health, and child-related needs of all residents. Volunteers are expected to practice modeling love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control when serving (Gal 5:22-23). The level of commitment here is unmatched to anything I've ever seen in an urban setting. If you have ever considered making a difference, this is a wonderful place to start.

It is with profound gratitude and deep humility that I reflect upon my time with The House of…read moreCherith and City of Refuge. After facing unforeseen and traumatic experiences, this organization became the very sanctuary and place of restoration I desperately needed. The staff, each one a true blessing, exemplified extraordinary dedication and grace. Their commitment was nothing short of a divine appointment; they poured their care and spiritual guidance into me like no other. We must give all the glory to God for utilizing every individual within this organization to genuinely minister to and love the brokenhearted who seek refuge here. They embraced me exactly where I was in my journey, providing an atmosphere where I could rediscover solace, peace, tranquility, dignity, and integrity, but most importantly, unconditional love. Because of their unwavering support, grounded in faith, I have been able to look onward and forward, never back. The fellowship we built was a testament to perseverance a family connection that, while not always easy, was always achievable. For the genuine love, the steadfast support, and the restorative family environment fostered by The House of Cherith and City of Refuge, I am eternally grateful.

Was alerted to this volunteer opportunity by a friend. On Saturday you show up at 10am and prepare…read morefood, wash dishes, and anything else needed. Everyone was willing to jump in and help and had great attitudes. Once the prep is completed it is packed in cars to be distributed at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta. The recipients were respectful and appreciated the assistance. Once the food is gone, you go back to the kitchen to have a meal. A very fun experience and rewarding. Looking forward to going back.

My husband and I serve at Food4Lives CT because we live in Connecticut. It's so gratifying to cook…read moreand serve the unhoused especially with the snow and freezing temps we've had this year. Food4livesCT serves fresh veg meals in Hartford and Middletown CT every week in rain, snow, sleet or sun. No charge ever!

i contributed a fairly large amount of money last year. So far I can't get a reply to requests for…read moreacknowledgement of the donation - for tax purposes. They don't respond to emails or texts.

Hands On Atlanta Day is always a success with thousands of volunteers across the city assisting…read moreservice and school organization. Typically held on the first Saturday in October, I participated in Hands On Atlanta Day several years in a row by doing arts and crafts and planting shrubberies at a local Grant Park school. Hands on Atlanta serves the community year round. They help by uplifting and building lower income zones, food banks, senior homes, schools, pet shelters, parks, etc. Hands On Atlanta holds volunteer orientations twice a month. To get involved visit www.handsonatlanta.com.

Over the last couple of months, they've helped me with a lot of things signing up for food…read moreassistance getting food assistance job job request pretty much I like it and the people are nice to you

If you are looking for something to do around the holidays with your family or with your friends…read morethis is a great option. We don't have a lot of family so usually around the holidays my mom and I will go serve here whether it's Christmas or Thanksgiving it's pretty well organized you can sign up beforehand online for different areas from serving food to helping give out clothing to greeting people there are a lot of different opportunities.

The Junior League of Cobb Marietta is focused on impacting individuals throughout the Cobb Marietta…read morearea. This is a strictly volunteer based nonprofit aiming to support the local community through education and action. Great efforts to better women through leadership and service.

This was one of the best volunteer experiences that I've ever had. What I participated in was…read morecalled Mural Painters at the Carpenter's House. I found the event via the Hands On Atlanta Website. (Check my review for that. http://www.yelp.com/biz/hands-on-atlanta-atlanta) I arrived expecting to paint large murals on walls. Instead I found that the artist was actually there to explain that we would be painting murals, together with the residents of the Atlanta Union Mission, on large canvases that would eventually be hung together. Fabulous!! I loved the interaction that this encouraged. The artist, I can't remember his name, takes 6 large canvases and draws a mural across all of them. Then he puts dots of paint in each section so that volunteers and residents can fill it in later. It's a twist on the paint by number thing. He then ships the murals to some 128 different countries to beautify hospitals. He believes that art is therapeutic. It's good for those of us who paint it and those who view it. Anyway, I sat for about 2 hours talking with residents while doing my favorite thing: painting. It was wonderful to talk to the guys about their lives and share a little of mine. At the end of the 2 hours, I felt like I had grown as a person. (I know it sounds sappy, but it's true.)

I have supported this charity for many years and can't say enough about their fine work providing…read morefood and shelter for the homeless. Highly recommend!