By Louis Detwiler | LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Feb. 19, 2015 | Since 1995, the Lawrenceville Co-op has been serving the greater Lawrenceville community. Thousands of people have been helped and renewed by the Co-op’s mission.
Detweiler
There are six co-ops in Gwinnett, with each of them serving specific Zip Code areas.
The work, the blessings, and stewardship of the Co-op are guided by Linda Freund, its director. Her stability and focus for the last 15 years has kept the Co-op in line with God’s calling: “For I was hungry and you gave me food; whatever you have done to the least of these people you have done to me.”
In 2015 a discernment committee, composed of leaders from local churches, reviewed the direction of the Co-op. A key part of the ministry focuses on the last sentence of the mission statement: “The Co-op seeks to preserve the client’s dignity while encouraging self-responsibility and spiritual growth.”
The Lawrenceville Co-op is helping thousands of families in Lawrenceville and Dacula who are in need. From its inception in 1995 to December 2015 the Co-op provided assistance to over 25,400 families. The Cooperative now aids about 500 families a month. Besides offering food, emergency shelter, and limited financial help, it now has a community faith-based registered nurse.
Part of the mission statement of the Lawrenceville Co-op is “To glorify God and demonstrate God’s love.” The Co-op is an intentional Christian organization seeking to honor…Jesus Christ in word and deed by sharing and caring for neighbors in need.”
Support for the Co-op can be seen throughout the community. In 2015, some 26 churches donated $1,200 or more and provided food to its pantry. Another 24 churches supported the Co-op in volunteer hours, food donations, and financial contributions.
The total contributions from churches in 2015 reached $168,006. Last year businesses and associations (including Walton EMC and Jackson EMC) made contributions for a combined $152,000. Publix donates bakery products to the Co-op. Last year individuals contributed $171,000. Fundraisers for the co-op last year netted $42,000. The total cash income for 2015 was close to $500,000.
Linda Freund says: “One reason people contribute to the co-op is because we have such a low expense ratio. Our operating cost has traditionally been about 8 percent of our total expenses. Most of our funds go directly to assist clients. We are staffed by over 400 volunteers. There are three paid positions: director, administrative assistant, and a faith community nurse.”
Volunteers form the base of operations. Churches provided 13,209 volunteer hours last year, compared to 15,465 volunteer hours in 2014. The Co-op always needs more volunteers. Volunteer orientations are every two months. Some of the volunteer work includes organizing and distributing canned foods, administration support for clients, and interviewing people to qualify them for assistance. One volunteer, Marvel Kent of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, has served the Co-op for its entire 20 year history.
When a client comes to the Co-op asking for assistance, steps are taken to assure the client is treated with dignity and respect. The need is confirmed and the mission statement is read to that person. Immediate assistance is given, if needed, and through an interview, underlying causes are recognized. If further visits are needed, a menu of resources is offered and a plan of action is agreed upon.
Linda Freund states, “Our job is not to judge. We all face hardships and crisis in our lives. One day we could be on the other side of the table.”
- To learn more please visit the website www.lawrencevilleco-op.org.
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