Quick Poll

Have you ever served on a jury?

Recent Polls

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Monday, July 12, 2010 in Local

Photo by Jeffrey Leo

Marty Hanson who volunteers at One Roof outreach thrift shop shows Susan Pucket some jewelry from the case. A donation box sits near them on the counter, the assistance group is trying to raise $10,000 to match an anonymous donation.

One Roof gets $10,000 challenge

By ERIN BLACK

eblack@newnan.com

On July 3, One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach in Newnan received a phone call from an anonymous donor raising a challenge to the Newnan-Coweta residents.

The donor stated that they wished to challenge the community to raise money for One Roof and that they would then match the donation up to $10,000.

Derenda Rowe, executive director of One Roof said that this donor is a life-long Coweta resident and wants to extend assistance to their neighbors in need. "They care very much about this community and have a really good heart for what we're doing here" said Rowe.

One Roof is a ministry supported by about 30 churches in Coweta County to help meet the financial and spiritual needs in the Newnan-Coweta area. One Roof, which houses a Resale House thrift store and provides space for the Coweta Community Food Pantry, also provides families in need with financial support by paying rent, placing evicted or fire victim families in motels, and paying utility bills, among other situations.

Rowe said that with the current state of the economy, One Roof is struggling to provide these needy families with care. "The economy is not only affecting us directly, but it's affecting the church members that support us and it's increasing the amount of families in need with the unemployment rate so high. Everyone is struggling."

According to Rowe, as One Roof sees about 100 families a month, and helps about 1,000 people a month through the food pantry, the hardest part is turning people away. "The most difficult part of this job is when budgets are tight and I have to look at a family and say 'I'm sorry, we can't help you.'"

With help from the people of Coweta and this anonymous donor, One Roof hopes to continue its service in full. Rowe said that she and the donor are both hoping that "someone, or a business, would donate the full amount since our need is immediate. Though we've had individuals to send small amounts, and we can definitely meet our goal that way as well. Every little bit helps."

For more information about One Roof, visit www.oneroofoutreach.org . All donations should be mailed to: One Roof P.O. Box 916, Newnan, GA 30264.

Comment On This Story

Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.

Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.