Since its founding in 1996 as part of the Georgia Family Connection Partnership statewide network, Brantley County Family Connection (BCFC) has been involved in numerous local initiatives. These efforts range from Reality Check, an immersive financial simulation that allows high schoolers to experience the practical realities of managing life as a 26 year old to Teen Maze, an interactive event designed to educate middle-schoolers on critical life choices, including the dangers of drug use and teen dating violence. The organization also provides essential school supplies to all seven of Brantley County’s schools as well as Head Start and educates the community on child abuse and neglect, among many other activities and programs.
Now, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, BCFC can add a “Kindness Closet” to their long list of community involvement. The Kindness Closet will provide necessities for community members in need. It will be stocked with essential hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and items for comfort, including blankets and jackets. To access the closet, community members should make an appointment and provide their government ID, social security cards for all household members, proof of income, and a power bill proving residency.
“There has been a need in Brantley County for a long time,” said Dawn Deen, Executive Director for BCFC. “(We) have tried in the past, but either the location or funding fell through. Many of our citizens here in Brantley County are low-income households but make too much money to receive financial assistance. This opportunity allows us to assist those families that work 40 plus hours a week but still struggle to pay their bills. When they have a hard week and just do not have the extra money for items like toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry soap, feminine products, baby diapers, baby wipes, rash cream, shampoo, conditioner, or body wash, we can assist.”
BCFC is partnering with Brantley County Action Pact, a community action agency, to implement and oversee the closet. “Alot of low-income households are struggling to just pay bills, let alone have any money left afterward,” said Taylor Turner with Action Pact. “With this Kindness Closet, we will be able to help these households in a more consistent way, so that they can get on their feet.”
Both Deen and Turner agree that the Kindness Closet can also help them connect low-income households and individuals with other services available to them.
“When they make their appointment, they will meet with my partner, Taylor Turner with Action Pact,” said Deen. “That opens them up to services that Action Pact provides, such as electric and water assistance along with the Kindness Closet. They then come to me to get the essential items they need and are open to many other resources in the community such as Blessing Boxes, Babies Can’t Wait, Unison, Health Department, Heron Book Nests, and many, many more.”
“Through another partnership, we will have a member of Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless, OATH, available onsite for anyone homeless or precariously housed to immediately assist with housing, rental assistance, or legal documents needed.”
Both Deen and Turner are grateful for the grant money from the Southeastern Bank Community Foundation. “Receiving this money finally allowed me to move forward and do something I have been wanting to do for years,” said Turner. “(Helping) those that truly need it in a more personal way has been a dream of mine.”
“The Kindness Closet provides immediate, tangible assistance to help local families with essential hygiene and other items,” said Jay Torbert, President and CEO of Southeastern Bank. We are proud to support Brantley County Family Connection and Brantley Action Pact in uplifting our community.”
About Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) organization, Southeastern Bank Community Foundation supports local nonprofits making a difference in the communities served by Southeastern Bank. Employees of the Bank serve on the Foundation Board on a rotational basis and determine how funds are dispersed in its local communities. The Foundation is currently funded with donations from the Bank.
Applications for future grant award cycles are available on the Bank’s website at southeasternbank.com or any Southeastern Bank office.
About Southeastern Bank
Established in 1888, Southeastern Bank has a long history of serving its customers and communities through its 11 locations in coastal Georgia and northeast Florida. The Bank is headquartered in Darien, Georgia. Visit southeasternbank.com to learn more.
About Us: Southeastern Bank, established in 1888, has a long history of serving its customers and communities. From traditional deposit and loan services to long-term mortgage originations and credit cards, Southeastern Bank has the financial products you need most. The Bank has 10 branch locations throughout coastal Georgia and northeast Florida, including Brunswick, Callahan, Darien, Eulonia, Folkston, Hilliard, Kingsland, Nahunta, Richmond Hill and St. Simons Island, and a loan production office in Hinesville.
