While there can be many reasons and extenuating circumstances as to why the poverty rate is so high in Athens, the fact remains that 1 in 4 Athenians live in poverty.  If you are reading this blog, you’re probably not one of them.  As a matter of fact, one of our favorite quotes is this:

“If you have the means to purchase a book
and the education to read it, you are rich
compared to 80% of the world’s population.”

With no less than five institutes of higher education and a church building on practically every street corner in the greater Athens area, we find this statistic to be astounding and completely unacceptable.  We are a group of people who have been moved by our passion to make a change in our local community... to get off our lay-z-boys and get involved!

That’s what POUR, Inc. is all about.  We are a local, nonprofit organization, dedicated to addressing issues of poverty right here in Northeast Georgia.  Our goal is to reach out and touch those who need it most.  Specifically, widows, orphans and single parents teetering on the edge of becoming the ‘working poor’.

Those of us who have been blessed, need to share that blessing… by POURing it into the lives of others.  There are great, individual stories of people doing things in and around the Athens area.  We are here to try to combine efforts, gifts and blessings in a tangible way.

Yes, there are non-profit organizations, churches and government agencies that offer a myriad of programs and services.   But the group that continually falls through the proverbial crack is the working poor.  The single mom that makes $100 too much to qualify for free lunch, or state offered health benefits, which she desperately needs because her 30 hour a week job doesn’t offer health-care.

Or the single parent who works two minimum wage jobs, because she has sick children who cause her to be late or miss work on a regular basis.

Maybe the parent has a decent paying job, and is getting by – just.  Everything seems to be going well, until the temperatures drop below 30 degrees and the 20 year old heating unit breaks.  Where in the world will they find the $1,500 to fix it? 

That’s where WE come in.  Concerned citizens of the greater Athens area.  I have an extra $25 this month, maybe you do too.  If we can find a few more people who feel the same way – we could make a difference in the life of this single parent.

Each month you make a donation, you will be able to help someone locally.  Do you know someone who needs help; perhaps a co-worker or a neighbor?  Maybe you know a local vendor who is willing to offer parts, labor or service at cost or a reduced rate to help us get more done with the money we collect on a monthly basis.  We need you to be our eyes and ears - and our mouth to help spread the word.  We know there are folks who need help, but don't know where to turn.  And there are people who want to help, but don't know how to get involved, or feel their $25 a month can't really make a difference.  YES, it can!  Together, WE can make a difference.

How about you?  Are you tired of reading about ‘non-profit’ organizations that pay their CEO’s hundreds of thousands of dollars?  Or nameless, faceless organizations that take your money and you just have to trust that some of it is getting into the hands of the needy – somewhere in the world?

Charity begins at home.  We believe this and trust that there are those in our community who agree.  If we all put our nickels and dimes together, we can make a change in the life of our neighbors and create a better, healthier, more caring community – right here at home.

Make a difference:
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Call (706) 202-1550