Who is eligible to get help from NFCC?
Assistance is available to residents of Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, & John's Creek who have an emergency need in basic living expenses that cannot be met in another way (Click here for Eligibility information). NFCC does not provide on-going help like welfare but may assist a family who has applied for benefits and is waiting for service to begin. Welfare, disability, unemployment, workers compensation or other benefits may take weeks or months to begin. Meanwhile the family must eat. The majority of families applying for NFCC assistance are working entry level jobs. However, NFCC is seeing a growing number of moderate income families who find themselves downsized in a slowing economy. NFCC also serves disabled and senior families who are on fixed incomes and may experience the occasional emergency need. In order to qualify for NFCC service, applicants must provide proof of residence, photo identification, statement of service requested (water bill, lease, etc.) and other documents as appropriate. NFCC also serves as an information and referral source for other kinds of services.

How much need is there really in Alpharetta and Roswell?
North Fulton is not commonly perceived as an area of Atlanta that has problems associated with poverty. The relative affluence of the area masks the fact that an increasing number of families are barely making ends meet. The area has a large number of low-wage service-industry jobs, yet the cost of housing is above average for Atlanta and public transportation is scarce. When something unplanned happens to a family that is living from paycheck to paycheck, even something small like a dead car battery or a child with an ear ache, can send the family into a downward spiral that may end in homelessness without intervention. ARC estimates that one of every 8 families in Alpharetta and Roswell is living at or near the poverty line.

Why aren't those people working?
Two-thirds of the families seeking NFCC help are working at least 30 hours a week. Many are working temporary jobs or day labor and have no benefits or health insurance. Others are seeking employment or are unable to work because of age, illness or disability. A recent NFCC study found that the majority (60-70%) of those seeking assistance are in need because of medical problems. In some cases the applicant or a family member was ill with a simple virus like flu which kept them home from work and left them without expected income at the month's end or caused them to spend income on doctors and prescription medicine. For other families with chronic health problems, the process of applying for long-term assistance like Social Security Disability has dragged on for months and left them without other resources. Most of the families NFCC sees are living from paycheck to paycheck and any interruption in income or any unanticipated expense creates an immediate problem.

How are you funded?
NFCC funds in 2007 came from a variety of sources:

18% from churches and synagogues
6% from civic groups
19% from individuals
7% from business
36% from income from the Thrift Shop
14% from grants including:
    $128,120 from United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
    $  75,000 Human Services Grant from Fulton County

I want my donations given away.  Why do you sell things in The Thrift Shop?
The Thrift Shop is unique because it gives clothing and other items to those who need it most, but also sells to the public and raises operating funds to support our programs. At any one time over 2800 families are eligible to shop in the Thrift Shop with vouchers. Income earned from the Thrift Shop sales is used to cover administrative expenses of NFCC so that 100% of monetary donations can be reserved to assist local families with emergency needs.

Does NFCC help illegals?
NFCC assists individuals and families who live in our community and provide the following documentation: photo identification, proof of residence and proof of need. Enforcement of immigration laws is the responsibility of United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Just as our public schools serve all children who live in the attendance zone, NFCC's doors are open to all North Fulton residents.