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Published Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in Opinion

Will you help One Roof answer its $10,000 fundraising challenge?

Editorial

Derenda Rowe and her volunteer helpers at One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach in Newnan have a challenging job trying to meet the needs of Coweta County residents who are hurting, many more than ever are in need because of the lingering sour economy.

One Roof, which operates a food pantry and a resale house thrift store in the former Playtex plant on Temple Avenue in Newnan, is a ministry supported by about 30 churches in the area. The goal is for One Roof to be a sort of one-stop clearing house to help the needy with food, provide financial support for rent and utilities, and provide other support for families and individuals.

Fulfilling that goal is a tremendous strain because resources are limited during these troubling economic days. Many times Rowe has appealed to the community for help, and caring Coweta citizens have answered her call for donations with food, money and other items.

Rowe says the toughest part of her job is turning people away without being able to help them.

"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.'"

Last week Rowe appealed to the community once again in a unique sort of way. She has an interesting challenge. She received a call from an anonymous donor offering a challenge to One Roof and Coweta residents. The donor challenged the community to raise money for One Roof and pledged to match community donations up to $10,000.

That means that if the community donated $10,000 to One Roof, the donor would add another $10,000. If that happened, One Roof would have $20,000, which would help a lot of needy people.

Rowe says One Roof provides food for 1,000 people or more each month. In addition she sees about 100 families a month who have various critical needs. She could use the $20,000.

Rowe told our reporter she and the donor hoped "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."

We know there are many people in our community who can't give, but there are many who are fortunate enough to be able to give. Help One Roof again in this time of great need. You can mail donations to One Roof, P.O. Box 916, Newnan, Ga. 30264.

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