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Coordinated Charities of Athens is an organization that helps people through emergencies and times of distress. They host a community food pantry, a thrift store, and an assistance agency. On Monday, Coordinated Charities Client Service Representative and Social Worker, Tiffany Fay sent out a notice across Facebook stating that the Food Pantry is running low on items that they need to continue to serve the needs of people in our area. They are requesting donations of items such as Tuna, Crackers, Soups, Canned Chicken, Ramen Noodles, Pastas, Chili, etc. They would appreciate donated items that are ready-to-eat, easy open and pop-top items, as many of those needing assistance don’t typically have access to can openers or microwaves. Coordinated Charities is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. Coordinated Charities thanks the community for their continued support and wants the community to know: “Because of our wonderful supporters we are able to change lives!”

/• Monroe County Friends of Animals wishes to remind you that January is “Unchain a Dog” Month. Dogs tethered for long periods can suffer from numerous health issues, both physical and psychological, such as boredom, loneliness, depression, and even aggression. As the cold winter persists, we urge you to bring your dogs indoors where they can stay warm, safe, and be part of the family.

Indivisible:

This is inherently general advice because we’ll need to customize our approaches to the threat, the people involved, and what you can do to help. But here are some general guidelines on how to get started:

• Get connected locally. It’s common for new advocates to show up with lots of passion and little knowledge on a topic. That’s OK, but it means you need to focus on plugging into existing work, where you can add value and strength to ongoing fights and deliver the kinds of support that are being asked for, rather than going rogue and doing your own thing. Build trust by asking what the needs are and meeting those needs. 

• Focus on tangible ways to help. This is not about posting the right message on social media in solidarity. It’s about actual, material support for people who are facing material harm. Communities are under threat, and the organizations that serve them are about to face extraordinary challenges. They will need money, local organizing support, mutual aid, and volunteers who can show up to help and organize for their interests in a hundred different ways.

Organize yourself so that you offer clear value. In moments of enormous danger and stress, local community organizations are often in triage mode. Organizing new volunteers who want to help can be a huge time burden. That’s why it’s crucial to organize yourself and your local Indivisible group, figure out what you can offer, and approach ready to help meet the needs they’ve identified.

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