COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Some Cobb County families most in need during these difficult times are getting a vital lifeline from a local nonprofit, which announced Friday it will be giving out thousands of dollars in financial assistance.
The Center for Family Resources says families who fall below 200% of the federal poverty level will be able to access the emergency fund, meaning that a family of four with an income of $52,400/year or less would qualify. The average grant to each family will likely be between $1,300 and $1,500.
The organization said it has over $170,000 in assistance available - though it anticipates triple that amount in requests.
The center offers families this guidance if they wish to seek assistance:
For people seeking assistance, contact the CFR at (770) 428-2601. All inquiries are being taken over the phone, and the agency is not open to walk-ins in an effort to maintain a safe environment for staff and clients. Anyone who would like to donate to the emergency assistance fund at the CFR can make their tax-deductible donation at www.thecfr.org/give.
Grants came from the Cobb Community Foundation through the Cobb COVID-19 Response Fund, Cobb EMC Foundation, and the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Recovery and Response Fund, the center said.
“Stabilizing families and providing a safety net during challenging times ties directly into our mission,” Lee Freeman-Smith, the center's vice president of operations, said in a release. “This critical funding will immediately impact families in critical need of services throughout Cobb County. With more than 22 million Americans filing for unemployment and lower wage earners disproportionately impacted, the need for financial assistance will be tremendous."
The center says it serves over 12,000 people a year and helps more than 700 families with housing and rent assistance. They said they received more than 160 calls in the last two weeks for assistance related to the coronavirus pandemic.
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