Thousands of Working Poor, Homeless to Enjoy Hosea Feed the Hungry's 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Festival of Services Nov. 26

/PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, Nov. 26, the doors of Turner Field will open up to approximately 30,000 working poor and homeless people in the Atlanta area as Hosea Feed the Hungry and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in association with The Braves Foundation, host the largest one-day sit-down dinner and meals on wheels operation in the nation - the 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Festival of Services. In addition to serving increased numbers of working poor clients, approximately 20,000 to 25,000 people are homeless in Atlanta, many of whom are expected to participate in this year's Festival. Up to a staggering 60 percent of those individuals are children.

Guests will not only enjoy a hot, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, but they also will have access to a medical clinic, clothing center, barber and beautician services, entertainment and church services. Because of its focus on youth, HFTH has also created a kids corner where children can enjoy the same services that are being offered to adults. Additionally, HFTH partnered with the Georgia Coastal Southern Christian Leadership Conference to host the first holiday festival in Savannah on Nov. 23.

"Every year, our holiday dinners, which are now being replicated in other cities, represent the hard work of thousands of volunteers who make this happen for the needy in Greater Atlanta," said Elisabeth Omilami, HFTH's executive director. "Because of the economy, rising unemployment rates and the recent September floods around Atlanta, HFTH is serving increased numbers of clients throughout the year who tell us they can't believe they are in our lines. We are dedicated to restoring dignity and stability to all the individuals and families who seek our assistance, but we need the community's continued support."

This holiday dinner season and long into 2010, HFTH expects to feed the needs of up to 250,000 individuals worldwide, an increase of more than 55 percent over last year. Because of the economy, corporate and individual contributions are down 35 percent, while monthly calls for help with human services are up a staggering 45 percent. HFTH is experiencing the largest increase in clients in the history of the organization. Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 24, 2008, it helped approximately 5,370 individuals with the human services it provides every day like rent assistance, help to pay utilities, food boxes, counseling, employment services and help finding temporary housing. During the same period in 2009, more than 6,600 walked through HFTH's doors and received services.

"We are not waiting or depending on those corporations who will not help us, or the government to rescue us," added Omilami. "We are inviting the community, the city, the state - all of our partners to rally together so that we can start rescuing ourselves now and to start preparing for future challenges now."

Embracing the future

HFTH operates on an annual budget of $1.5 million but needs $3.5 million to keep up with the growing numbers of families and individuals who need its help, and only 20 percent of that is administrative. All other funding goes directly to client services.

The Atlanta-based nonprofit subsists solely on financial and material donations from corporations and individuals. While HFTH is ready to meet the challenges in the New Year, it also needs the community to contribute more than ever to its cause.

"Beginning this year, everything we do must be geared towards transforming the economic and physical lives of the people we serve," Omilami said. "From the creation of our new Case Management Department to developing our housing component, HFTH is re-defining our mission."

Additionally, HFTH is connecting with the community more than ever by embracing technology to make it easier for people to receive vital information on its needs and to make financial contributions. These include:

-- Texting HFTH (space) (personal e-mail address) to 69302 to
automatically be added to HFTH's database to receive up-to-date
information
-- Going to Shop.hoseafeedthehungry.com e-commerce site to make food
purchases, support various services or to buy HFTH merchandise
-- Following Hosea Feed the Hungry on Facebook and Twitter


HFTH's valued community partners will ensure that it continues serving those in need for another 40 years. Everyone can make a difference in helping those in need, no matter how large or small a contribution.

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How Sweet The Sound Seeks Atlanta's Best Choir and No-Longer-Used Wireless Phones

PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today the Atlanta-area semi-finalists in the search for the country's best church choir. Atlanta-area choirs and their choir directors who have made it into the semi-final round of the Verizon Wireless' How Sweet The Sound(SM) national competition are:

-- Small Choirs (6-35 singers):
- Atlanta Praise Ministries, Pastor James Jackson (Atlanta)
- Enon Church, Kevin Styles (College Park)
- Eagles Nest Cathedral, Johnathan Williams (West Point)
- Due West United Methodist Church, Billy Payne (Marietta)

-- Large Choirs (36-100 singers):
- Beulahland Bible Church, Dr. Jay Terrell (Macon)
- Atlanta West Pentecostal Church, Brandon Frazier (Lithia Springs)
- Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, Celia Stockton (Atlanta)
- Shaw Temple Mass Choir, Keyth Lee (Atlanta)

The semi-final competition will be held September 15 at Philips Arena. During the event, Atlanta area church choirs will perform for a chance to compete in the national grand finale for a cash prize of up to $25,000 and the title of the best church choir in America.

Bring Your No-Longer Used Phones for a Good Cause

Atlanta gospel music fans planning to watch their favorite choirs compete during this event are encouraged to bring their no-longer-used wireless phones and donate them to the company's HopeLine(R) program. Verizon Wireless will collect the phones at booths set up at different locations throughout Philips Arena. All collected phones will support local domestic violence organizations.

HopeLine is Verizon Wireless' exclusive phone recycling and reuse program that collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider to benefit victims of domestic violence. Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness. Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 5 million phones, awarded more than $5 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country.

Those who cannot make it to the September 15 show can drop off their used wireless phones, batteries and accessories at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the state of Georgia, at any time of the year.

Award-Winning Gospel Artists Hosting and Judging

The Verizon Wireless How Sweet The Sound national finals are in Atlanta November 8. The semi-finalist winners from 11 cities will compete in the national grand finale. GRAMMY(R)-winning songwriter, producer arranger and music director, Donald Lawrence, will be the tour emcee at each of the 11 semi-final competitions and at the finale. Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker and other gospel artists will join the competition as judges.

Tickets Available

The doors to Philips Arena will open at 6 p.m. before the How Sweet The Sound competition begins at 7:30 p.m. on the 15th. Tickets can be purchased via Ticket Master or the Philips Arena Box Office and are $7 for floor seats and $5 for upper level seats.

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