Written by ROBING STEWART | Photography courtesy of BRIDGING THE GAP
Most Cowetans have heard of Bridging the Gap (BTG) Community Outreach. Founded in 2009, the Newnan-based nonprofit serves local citizens through a variety of programs and their faithful cadre of donors and volunteers.
Bridging the Gap opened originally to help the homeless but quickly grew, expanding to help any Cowetan in need under the auspices of their mission to “Feed, Serve, Restore.” Though they serve Coweta County, their reputation is known beyond it.
Linda Walker doesn’t live in Coweta, but she chose BTG as the beneficiary of a post-tornado benefit concert she produced in May 2021. While researching which organization to assist, she says she found many good ones.
“But Bridging the Gap had a lot of reach, lots of ways to help the community,” Walker recalls. “They work tirelessly to help people in times of great need or disaster.”
It’s been said that food is love, and BTG spreads that love through its food programs, including its weekly drive-through food pantry. With the cost of groceries increasing, these are busy events, serving 500 to 750 families weekly. A separate food drive day is set for seniors. For people who can’t make it to these drive throughs, BTG volunteers provide home delivery of food and essentials.
When school's out, BTG's free summer lunch program feeds children ages 18 and younger. And at Thanksgiving and Christmas, holiday food boxes are part of their outreach.
“We offer two holiday box days that replace our weekly distribution box days,” says BTG Deputy Director Grace Rodriguez, noting that 700 to 800 holiday food boxes are distributed at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Also at Thanksgiving, BTG hosts hot holiday meals with about 225 served each year.
At yuletide, BTG hosts Christmas in Coweta, which Rodriguez describes as “one of our most cherished traditions.”
For 15 years, coordinator and volunteer Jennifer Hooper has been the driving force – “the Christmas spirit,” according to Rodriguez – behind Christmas in Coweta. The program helps struggling families provide needs, plus a few wish list wants, for their children. Volunteer sponsors receive details on BTG client families before Thanksgiving.
“That's so shoppers can take advantage of Black Friday deals,” says Hooper, adding that 2,158 families were served through Christmas in Coweta last year thanks to partnerships with volunteers, donors, churches, businesses, civic groups, local clubs and individuals.
Christmas in Coweta serves children from birth until they graduate high school. Living up to their name, the program bridges the gap others leave as many organizations stop Christmas assistance to children at age 12. In addition, for four years, BTG has partnered with More Music Foundation, enabling middle and high school band students to receive musical instruments through Christmas in Coweta, thanks to fundraising and purchases by the More Music Foundation.
Veterans also receive special consideration. The Christmas in Coweta application asks about current or former military service. Some sponsors specifically request to assist these military families.
“It’s amazing how supportive Coweta is,” says Hooper. “The way the community comes together, it’s been so apparent through Christmas in Coweta and even the (2021) tornado, how giving and how supportive this county is toward its citizens.”
While some clients pick up their Christmas in Coweta goodies on a designated day a week before Christmas, those without transportation are visited by BTG volunteers who deliver their wrapped gifts a few days before the holiday, ensuring no child wakes up to an empty space under the tree.
Through its Christmas programs, Bridging the Gap embodies all things authentically Christmas by loving their neighbors, treating all with kindness, displaying servant leadership, and sharing with the community a Christ-like spirit of love. NCM
