By Emily Pruitt Nemec
The North Gwinnett Co-Operative is a local, faith-based organization ministering during the back-to-school season by assisting residents with school supplies, in addition to their regular ministries. According to their webpage (www.northgwinnettcoop.org), recently they were able to donate 852 backpacks full of supplies to children in our community. Each backpack contained supplies that were appropriate for the child’s level of schooling.
The Co-Op depends on donations to assist with this program and has the following list of supplies posted on their homepage:
Elementary School Grades: Pink block erasers, 4oz. bottles of glue, glue sticks, Fiskars blunt scissors, boxes of tissue, highlighters, baby wipes, washable markers, pencil boxes, pencil pouches, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, composition notebooks, and colored pencils.
Middle School Grades: highlighters, 3-ring binders (1″ & 2″), tab dividers, folders, flash drives, colored markers, notebook paper, pencil pouches, highlighters, pens, earbuds, composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, packs of copy paper, and boxes of tissue.
High School (most needed): New backpacks, flash drives, earbuds, 3-ring binders (2″), tab dividers, notebook paper, folders with pockets/brads, highlighters, pens/pencils, scientific calculators, and spiral notebooks.
Started in 1991 by Sugar Hill United Methodist Church, The North Gwinnett Co-Operative Ministries has grown to include many others who have a like-minded vision of service for the local community. The Co-Op now includes many additional groups: congregations, local businesses, civic organizations, school, and individuals; all who donate time, money, and resources to support their mission and vision statements.
Mission statement: “Through support within our community, we bridge the gaps for critical needs of families or individuals and provide services to aid in finding a path to self-sufficiency.”
Vision statement: “To be an effective leader in aligning resources that strengthen families and individuals.”
Each year the North Gwinnett Co-Operative tries to reach as many families as possible with the donations they receive. On top of the back to school backpacks, they offer many other services. During the summer, an End Summer Hunger drive assists families during the summer months with feeding their children during the daytime. They have bread and bakery assistance that supports families’ needs on a weekly basis, while a food pantry is provided on a different schedule, depending on specific qualifications. Their utility assistance, prescription assistance, clothing vouchers, and holiday programs are also available throughout the year. The North Gwinnett Co-Operative even tries to help those in need who are not in their local service area by referring them to other agencies serving their specific region. The Second Blessings Thrift Store is provided through this organization as well, and is open the following hours: Monday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
All information listed, and any additional information about the North Gwinnett Co-Operative, can be found on their website at www.northgwinnettcoop.org.
