Mallory Feeds the Homeless
And She Needs Your Help to Keep Them Warm
Every Saturday, Mallory Kidwell — a high school student from the quaint town of Peachtree City, GA — bundles up and leaves her warm home in the silent, dark hours of the morning. After a long week of studying she knows she could curl up under the covers and sleep in a few extra hours, but instead she gets up and heads north into the cold Atlanta streets.
By daybreak she joins others who are gathered in a fenced area in the back alleys of the city. They have all come out early to offer help to strangers in need. While they get to work, dozens of people who have spent the night on the streets start coming out of the shadows. They are waiting for the warm meal that will curb their hunger pangs. And with a smile on her face, and love in her heart, Mallory feeds them.
Mallory and her fellow volunteers are working with the Feeding the Homeless Project. Since March of 2006, FTHP has quietly provided over 24,000 hot meals to anyone who seeks nourishment. These meals are served by the hands of caring volunteers directly on the streets in various locations throughout the inner city.
And their work is never done. Because after the homeless are fed, the next day will bring empty stomachs again — because that’s how hunger works.
92% of all donations collected by FTHP have been directly spent on the costs of food and the propane gas to cook that food.
“We don’t judge or criticize the reality of these less fortunate — we just feed people.” (FTHP)
Mallory is passionate about her work with people in need. So much so that she wants to do even more than provide Saturday meals. Because in addition to being homeless and hungry, “these people are freezing”, she said.
So instead of being content with serving one meal a week, she reached out to her high school. She spoke with her Principal and organized a drive to collect useful, warm items for the people she so desperately wants to help. The students helped gather blankets, coats and scarves.
However, more is needed, she says in a letter to her community that she posted through the Life in the Peachtree City Bubble group. Her call to action has been gaining momentum through this outlet and her local community is showing a great deal of support.
In her post, Mallory recounts a scene she witnessed recently that affected her very much:
“Last week, I witnessed a brutal fight between a small scrawny woman and a freezing man. The man attacked the woman in an attempt to steal some of her clothes so that he could keep himself warm. The woman picked up a brick to defend herself with. Stuff like this happens a lot. These people are freezing.”
Instead of feeling fearful of her safety, this incident inspired Mallory to want to do more. She recognized where this act of violence stemmed from — absolute desperation. Homelessness is a complex issue that brings with it deep feelings of exclusion, insecurity, powerlessness, depression and yes, even anger.
And the winter time is the worst — with empty bellies and tattered clothes that aren’t suitable for cold nights on the streets, people become absolutely desperate.
In January 2015, at least 13,790 people were known to be homeless in Georgia — more than 4,000 of those in the City of Atlanta alone.
Many volunteers that share Mallory’s sense of goodwill have also been bringing donations of warm gear that are given out on a first-come first-served basis. “However”, Mallory says, “the homeless come in large groups and not many items of clothing are there for them”. They need more, and Mallory intends to take it to them.
Since posting her plea on “The Bubble” page, Mallory has received a heartwarming response. Because that’s what towns like Peachtree City do, they help. They just need to know what is needed, and they jump to action. This group was started by Jamie Fukofuka, and with over 21,000 followers, has proved to be a fantastic outlet for people like Mallory who want to reach out to their whole community.
“When I started the Bubble Page I did it to help people find things to do around the city. Little did I know how much it would help in that way and many more. I get stopped daily by people telling me how much the page has helped them in one way or another. They tell me it could not have happened without the page. That is the best thing I can hear. Just knowing how much it helps people in so many ways makes me very happy.” — Jamie Fukofuka
This is one of the wonderful ways social media is making a difference in our world. So hat’s off to Mallory, to FTHP and their dedicated volunteers, and to Jamie and the “Bubblers” for helping to make life just a little bit gentler for strangers in need — because after all, we are all neighbors, with the same basic needs and desires, sharing the same community.
If you would like to get on board, clean out your closets and help Mallory help these people, her wish list and drop-off locations are below. Mallory asks that your donation be provided before December 2nd.
Also, if you would like to contribute your time as a volunteer or make a monetary donation, you can do so by connecting with FTHP — just visit their webpage here: Feeding the Homeless Project
Mallory’s Wish List:
- Long sleeve shirts
- Jackets and coats
- Sweatshirts and hoodies
- Jeans and pants
- Socks, hats and gloves
- Shoes and boots
- Blankets and sleeping bags
Drop off locations in Peachtree City, GA:
- The Peachtree City Police Dept on Hwy 74
- Fire Station Number 82 — located at Peachtree Parkway and Hwy 54
- SOMA in the Avenue — They have graciously offered a 15% discount off of anyone’s purchase who brings a donation.
- Spezzano’s Village Market in Tyrone
You can also donate to help in Fayetteville, GA here:
“There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help.” — Jan Schakowsky
To learn more about hunger and homelessness in our Country, please visit Move For Hunger — follow the link below:
To connect with this author, visit Driftwood Chronicle on Facebook and on Medium.com.
