Local Outreach
Gainesville First embraces many mission opportunities in our community. Whether through volunteering after school, Great Day of Service projects, or sharing our resources with those in need, we want to make a difference right where we live.
We support various local and national organizations and agencies. See below for a complete list of our sponsored ministries.
Action Ministries of Gainesville
Action Ministries Mountain mobilizes communities across North Georgia to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on hunger relief, housing and education. By meeting these basic human needs, AMI strives to remove barriers that prevent thousands of Georgians from breaking the cycle of poverty and realizing their potential.
AMM offers strategic and intentional housing solutions in the Gainesville community. The Homeless Prevention and Families in Action Program (Emergency Assistance Program supported by Operation Round Up)offers short -term financial assistance to families facing eviction or utility disconnection in Hall County. Action Cares connects individuals and families with HIV/AIDS to quality affordable housing options, resulting in independence and long-term success. Action Serves works to provide veterans with the necessary resources that will prevent them from becoming homeless and ensure they are rapidly re-housed in housing environments that best meet their needs.
Our educational programming empowers clients to become self-sufficient and remove barriers to employability and stable housing through GED instruction, college pathway guidance, technology and financial literacy training, credit counseling and repair, tax return assistance and counseling, one-on-one school tutoring, life coaching and individualized case management.
AMM alleviates hunger through Smart Lunch, Smart Kid, a mobile feeding program for low-income children eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school year, but who may lack access to healthy meals out of school and an Emergency Food Box program.
Aldersgate / Collinswood
Alliance for Literacy
Baker Glover Community Center
Gainesville First has partnered with the Path Project to empower kids and students in the Baker Glover community through relationships and education.
The Community Center in the Baker Glover Mobile Home Park provides programs that are designed using research-based best practices and are led by certified teachers and youth development specialists who serve alongside incredible volunteers. We offer onsite programs including Preschool Mommy and Me/Story Time, Elementary Homework and Reading Clubs, Middle and High School Leadership Clubs, FCA Soccer Teams and Summer Camp opportunities.
If you are interested in serving, contact Meredith Pierce.
Center for Hope and Healing
Center Point
Center Point offers programs in counseling, education, mentoring, prevention and scholarships to students in Gainesville/Hall County.
Gainesville First contact: Laura Head
Center Point contact: Marie Davis / 678-997-1990
Volunteer Opportunities:
Mentoring school age children. By giving just one hour a week of your time, you can bring a new hope to a struggling student through the power of friendship.
Challenged Child
Community Food Pantry
*This Food Pantry is not located at Gainesville First UMC, please click here for location and hours.
The Community Food Pantry is a unique, interdenominational, hands-on ministry which serves about 2,400 families a year. Behind this number are real people who struggle to feed themselves and their families.
Five area churches, including Gainesville First, participate in operating the Community Food Pantry. Each of the churches contributes volunteers to operate the pantry, money for the facility's rent, donated goods from church food drives, and certain perishable food items to augment non-perishable food which is bought from Food Banks.
For more information, contact our Gainesville First chairpersons Meme Wilder or Kathy Dent.
Family Promise
Family Promise is committed to helping low-income families achieve lasting independence.
GFUMC hosts Family Promise families several times throughout the year. We need volunteers to help set up for our families, host a dinner, stay overnight and provide breakfast, lunch and snack items and personal hygiene items. Also, we are gladly accepting Walmart gift cards. These gift cards allow us to purchase needed items for our families.
We need you! Contact Susan Wright at 770-530-3397 to volunteer to serve.
Gateway House
Georgia Mountain Food Bank
*This Food Pantry is not located at Gainesville First UMC, please click here for location and hours.
Georgia Mountain Food Bank's (GMFB) mission is to address hunger, health and quality of life by serving those in need throughout North Georgia. GMFB provides a vital link between sources of food supplies and hardworking community-based partner agencies who help get the food into the hands of families and individuals who need it. Whether it's distributing food or serving the community through outreach programs, initiatives and resources, Georgia Mountain Food Bank's time to serve is now.
Good News Clinic
Good News at Noon
Good News at Noon Food Ministry
Guest House
The Guest House is an Activities Center for seniors who need day-time care and company.
Guest House contact: Candy Sargent / 770-535-1487
Volunteer Opportunities:
Must be over 18 with a loving heart for older people with sensitivity towards those with memory loss.
Assist the activities director with planned activities.
Bring your musical talent! We have piano and keyboard or bring your own instrument! We would love to hear you if you would like to share!
Available volunteer times: 11-12noon, 1-2pm, 2-3pm, 3-4pm