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Joanne Garland’s Story

When Joanne Garland first came to the Real Life Center nearly two years ago, she was facing an uncertain season. She was out of work, struggling to keep up with basic expenses, and caring for family members with serious health challenges. Through a call to 211, she was connected to the Real Life Center, and what she found here changed more than her circumstances.

“It’s not just what you say you do,” Joanne shared. “From the moment you walk in, there’s patience, kindness, and connection. It really feels like family.”

Joanne initially needed help with utilities and rent while searching for steady employment. Along the way, she experienced staff members and volunteers willing to listen, problem solve, and walk beside her with grace, even when life didn’t go according to plan.

Over time, Joanne became a regular at the Real Life Center Market and began attending classes that allowed her to receive food while learning practical skills. Her favorite class, "How to Start a Budget," helped her spend less and redirect money toward other needs.

“Because of the food I receive here, I barely go to the grocery store anymore,” she explained. “That makes a huge difference.”

But the support went beyond food and finances. Joanne formed friendships while waiting in line, talking in the parking lot, and connecting with other clients. One of those relationships even led to an unexpected gift, a laptop she needed but couldn’t afford.

Joanne now shares what she receives with elderly neighbors and others who can’t come to the Real Life Center themselves. “Nothing goes to waste,” she says. “That’s how we love each other.”

Still seeking full-time work in the medical field, Joanne continues to face challenges, including transportation issues. Yet she remains grateful for the encouragement, referrals, and community support she’s found at the Real Life Center.

When asked what she would say to someone considering a donation, Joanne didn’t hesitate.

“Give it here,” she said. “What happens here brings glory to God. You extend help with care, organization, and love.”

For Joanne, the Real Life Center has been more than a place of assistance, it has been a place of dignity, connection, and hope. Her story reflects the heart of our mission: showing the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living, and trusting God to do the deeper work of restoration.

In 2025, the Real Life Center was honored to participate in the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s (ACFB) Transforming Access Together Accelerator, a leadership development cohort designed to help nonprofits expand their food access programs and build long-term operational capacity. The Accelerator brings together high-impact partner agencies—nine in the 2025 cohort—to strengthen food distribution systems and create innovative ways to serve neighbors facing food insecurity.

As part of this program, cohort partners receive specialized training, collaborative support, and grants ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 to fund infrastructure improvements, such as refrigeration, delivery vehicles, or expanded distribution capacity. The initiative aligns with ACFB’s broader Transforming Access Together model, which emphasizes removing barriers, increasing distribution opportunities, and ensuring equitable, consistent access to food for all neighbors (EIN Presswire).

For the Real Life Center—an organization whose core ministry for more than 25 years has included providing food to families in crisis—this cohort became the launching point for a significant new initiative: the Summer Buddies Program.

During the school year, the Real Life Center with Fayette County schools helps to ensure that children facing food insecurity have nutritious meals on weekends. But when summer break arrives, thousands of children across Georgia lose access to school-provided meals—often their most reliable source of food.

As part of the Accelerator’s research and development process, our Client Care & Special Programs Director, Jennifer Nolder, explored ways the Real Life Center could expand food distribution specifically to support children during the summer months.

During that process, Jennifer identified the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program, which provides weekday lunches during the summer months to students facing food insecurity, as indicated by their school counselors. This program was already doing vital work—and it was the perfect foundation for a new collaborative approach.

Through our involvement in the ACFB cohort, and after extensive research, planning, and prayer, the Real Life Center launched the Summer Buddies Program in May 2025. According to the program outline, the inaugural year ran May 26, 2025, through August 1, 2025, covering the full span of Fayette County Schools’ summer break.

While the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program provided weekday lunches, the Real Life Center filled critical gaps by supplying families with:

• Breakfast foods
• Dinner items
• Weekend meal supplies

These supplemental food bags helped ensure that children had consistent access to nutritious meals beyond the weekday lunch provided by the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program.

This collaboration allowed us not only to support children but also to connect with families who may not have known about our other services, including financial assistance, life skills programs, and our year-round participation in Backpack Buddies. The program was also designed to reach families who previously struggled to access resources due to transportation barriers, since our volunteers delivered meals directly to designated stops across the county.

As the Summer Buddies Program began to take shape, it became clear that a dedicated vehicle would be essential for delivering meals throughout the county. Through the Accelerator, the Atlanta Community Food Bank awarded grant funding, and together with another generous donor, provided the resources the Real Life Center needed to purchase a delivery van—an investment noted in the project budget.

This van now serves not only Summer Buddies but also other Real Life Center programs that expand food distribution throughout Fayette and Coweta counties.

The Summer Buddies Program is a testament to what can happen when community organizations work together with a shared purpose. Our partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank through the Transforming Access Together Accelerator strengthened our ability to dream, innovate, and expand. Our partnership with the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program ensured that children received the meals they needed throughout their summer break—weekdays and weekends, and mornings and evenings.

And at the heart of it all is our mission:
Showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living.

The Real Life Center is excited to see how the Summer Buddies Program grows in 2026 and beyond. With each new summer, we have the opportunity to reach more families, build stronger relationships, and ensure that no child in our community goes hungry while school is out.

We are deeply grateful for the partners who have joined with us—ACFB, local donors, volunteers, school counselors, and the incredible Fayette County Summer Lunch team. Together, we are expanding food access and bringing hope to families right here at home.

EIN Presswire. (2025, February 7). Atlanta Community Food Bank launches new
Transforming Access Together cohort. EIN Presswire. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/784056059/atlanta-community-food-bank-launches-new-transforming-access-together-cohort

Atlanta Community Food Bank. (n.d.). Partner Resources: Transforming Access Together. https://www.acfb.org/partner-resources/partner-resources-tat/

Each day on her commute through Coweta County, a local woman passed a man walking along Highway 34. Like many of us, she often wondered where he was headed, but one day, she felt a distinct prompting to stop and talk to him.

That man was Sam.

She soon learned that Sam was experiencing homelessness. He was often walking long distances just to get to work or run essential errands. Over time, she built a relationship with him—offering rides, food, and clothing—while listening to his story. She learned about his childhood, his struggles, and the circumstances that led him to live outdoors.

The Power of Connection
Knowing the mission of the Real Life Center, she brought Sam in to meet with us. After hearing his background, one thing became clear: a steady job was the key to breaking the cycle.

We reached out to a local pastor who owns a small business, hoping to bridge the gap. In addition to providing Sam with immediate food and resources, we began facilitating a connection that could change everything.

Gradually, Then Suddenly
Miracles often happen gradually, then all at once. We believe God has a unique way of weaving lives together, making connections over time so that He can perform a "suddenly" moment.

While this story is still being written and the outcome isn't yet certain, we know God is at work. Our strategy has always been to connect our clients with both the Real Life Center and the wider community. In Sam’s case, that story is being co-authored by a faithful neighbor and a community partner.

Stay tuned as we follow Sam’s journey toward a new chapter.

This year, the Real Life Center Orchard continued to bless families in our community in incredible ways. In 2025, we distributed 7,177 pounds of fresh fruit harvested from the orchard to families in need. While the orchard produced approximately 7,500 pounds, some blueberries and muscadines were shared with volunteer pickers during our U-Pick 4 Others events—a fun way for groups to serve and give back.

Ten volunteer groups, including Hoshizaki, Passion Trilith, Eaton, and others, joined us during blueberry season to help with harvesting. In total, it took 2,645 volunteer hours to prune, fertilize, spray, mow, and harvest throughout the year. We are so grateful for every hand that helped make this possible!

This year also brought exciting improvements. Thanks to a grant from the Peachtree City Rotary Club, we added electricity to the garage that houses our orchard vehicles and chemicals—making operations more efficient year-round. Volunteers also received expert training from the Fayette UGA Extension on best practices for pruning apples, blueberries, and peaches. And as a fun highlight, our orchard was even featured in a commercial!

For over 15 years, the Real Life Center Orchard has been a source of nourishment and hope for families facing hardship. We continue to place this ministry in God’s hands, asking Him to use it to bless families for years to come. Thank you to all who have faithfully prayed for the hands that care for the orchard and the hands of those who enjoy its fruit. We look forward to another fruitful year in 2026!

As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are reminded of our mission: Showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living. One of the ways we live out this mission is by offering educational classes that encourage growth—both practically and spiritually. These classes are more than lessons; they are opportunities to share hope, build confidence, and strengthen community.

This month, clients enjoyed two highly practical sessions: “Acing Your Job Interview” and “How to Start a Budget.” These classes equipped participants with tools for navigating the job market and managing finances—skills that create stability for families. In addition, classes centered on Biblical messages of hope, peace, and joy reminded participants of God’s promises during a season that can be challenging for many. Another favorite, “Wired for Purpose: Aligning Your Strengths with God’s Will,” helped individuals discover how their unique gifts can glorify God and serve others.

And of course, no month would be complete without one of Lori’s famous cooking classes! Clients love learning from Lori—not only because she shares practical tips and creative recipes, but because sampling the delicious results is always the highlight of the day. Her class brought smiles, laughter, and a sense of community that warmed our hearts.

2025 Year-End Impact
This year, 926 individuals attended 159 classes designed to help families thrive. Our classes fall into six categories, each addressing a different area of life:

• Career Development: 19 classes (12%) | 71 participants (8%)
• Emotional Wellness: 29 classes (18%) | 159 participants (17%)
• Financial Skills: 18 classes (11%) | 85 participants (9%)
• Physical: 30 classes (19%) | 276 participants (30%)
• Relational Growth: 12 classes (8%) | 70 participants (8%)
• Spiritual Growth: 51 classes (32%) | 265 participants (29%)

From practical skills like budgeting and resume building to spiritual encouragement and cooking tips, these classes reflect our commitment to holistic care—meeting needs and nurturing hearts.

Why It Matters
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” – Proverbs 1:5

Education is a powerful tool for transformation. When combined with Biblical truth, it becomes a source of hope and strength. Every class is an opportunity to remind our neighbors that they are valued and equipped for a brighter future.

We are so grateful for every teacher who invests their time and talents to help others thrive. If you have a skill, passion, or life experience that could make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s parenting, healthy living, finances, gardening, or even pickling and canning—your knowledge could be a blessing to someone in need.

Interested in teaching a class? Contact Tessa Henson at thenson@reallifecenter.org. Together, we can help others grow in every area of life!

As the holidays approached, the Real Life Center saw a record number of families served through our Mobile Food Pantry program, reflecting the growing need in our community. These monthly distributions are a vital way we live out our mission of showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living—and this November and December, that mission was more important than ever.

In November, we distributed 10,528 pounds of food to 222 households, representing nearly 700 individuals. Families received fresh produce such as onions, potatoes, cabbage, acorn squash, corn, and butternut squash—nutritious items that help create healthy meals during the colder months.

Notably, 77 of these households were new to our program—a significant increase compared to previous months. This surge was largely due to the government shutdown and the temporary pause of SNAP benefits, which left many families searching for ways to put food on the table. In moments like these, we are reminded of God’s promise:

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Through this program, we see His provision at work in tangible ways.

In December, we served 158 households, which included nearly 500 individuals, and provided 8,972 pounds of food. These numbers underscore both the significant need and the profound impact of this program.

Looking Back at 2025
Throughout the year, the Mobile Food Pantry made a significant difference in the lives of families facing financial hardships. In 2025, we distributed an astounding 121,176 pounds of food, generously donated by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. This food was shared with 495 unique households throughout the year, representing 1,532 individuals in Coweta and Fayette Counties.

This program is possible because of a powerful partnership:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank provides the food.
• Grace Church offers the distribution site, breakfast, and many of the volunteers.
• Real Life Center coordinates scheduling, reporting, and logistics to make these events happen.

Thank You for Making This Possible
We are deeply grateful for every volunteer, donor, and prayer partner who helped us serve our neighbors this year. Your time, prayers, and generosity are a blessing and a testimony of Christ’s love in action. Together, we are making a tangible difference and sharing hope with families in need.

Leadership Fayette, a program launched by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce in 1980, has been shaping the future of our community for over four decades. Its mission is clear: to empower and encourage a diverse group of existing and emerging leaders who are prepared and committed to serving Fayette County. Through this initiative, participants gain valuable civic knowledge, sharpen leadership skills, and build meaningful connections with other leaders across the region.

Recently, the Real Life Center was honored to be invited to speak at Leadership Fayette’s all-day meeting. This gathering brought together passionate individuals eager to learn more about the needs within our community and how they can make a lasting impact. During our time together, we shared the heart of our mission—Showing Our Neighbors the Love of Christ by Providing Necessities for Stable Living—and highlighted the ways we serve families facing financial hardships in Coweta and Fayette Counties.

From our food pantry and financial assistance programs to educational classes and orchard ministry, the Real Life Center exists to provide hope and stability during difficult seasons. By partnering with organizations like Leadership Fayette, we not only meet immediate needs but also inspire future leaders to embrace the importance of service and compassion.

We are deeply grateful to Leadership Fayette for giving us the opportunity to share our story and for their commitment to developing leaders who understand that true leadership begins with serving others. Together, we are equipping tomorrow’s leaders to make a difference—one act of kindness at a time.

Interested in ways to partner with the Real Life Center?  Click on the "Volunteer" and "Partner With Us" tabs on the navigation bar of our website.

Every year, we look forward to partnering with schools in Coweta and Fayette Counties as they host food drives for the Real Life Center. While a few schools hold drives multiple times throughout the year, most participate during the Season of Giving—September through December, making this time especially meaningful.

It warms our hearts to see children excited about giving. School administrators, teachers, and staff play a vital role in encouraging students and families to participate. Some schools spark enthusiasm through friendly competitions, while others spread the word with flyers, emails, and classroom conversations. Regardless of the approach, the outcome remains the same: everyone comes together to serve neighbors facing hardships in our community.

This year, 15 schools collected over 8,000 pounds of food for our pantry, representing 14% of all donated food during this period! Schools like Braelinn Elementary School, Crabapple Lane Elementary, First Presbyterian Kindergarten and Preschool, Huddleston Elementary, Kedron Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Starr’s Mill High School, and Whitewater High School are among those that made a tremendous impact. These donations are a gift and a blessing to many families in our community, helping us provide necessities for stable living.

But the impact goes beyond the food. Children learning the value of giving is an important life skill—one that shapes compassionate hearts and builds stronger communities. The relationship between the Real Life Center and our local schools is truly reciprocal: while their generosity helps us serve families in need, students gain a deeper understanding of empathy, service, and the joy of helping others.

We are deeply grateful to every student, parent, teacher, and staff member who made this possible. Your generosity reflects the true spirit of giving and reminds us of the incredible impact we can make when we work together.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

We are excited to launch the Real Life Center blog—a new way to connect with you, share stories of hope, and keep you informed about the work God is doing through this ministry. For over 25 years, our mission has been clear: Showing Our Neighbors the Love of Christ by Providing Necessities for Stable Living. This blog is another step in that journey.

Why Start a Blog?
Our heart is to serve families in Coweta and Fayette counties who are facing financial challenges. Through this blog, we want to:

• Share inspiring stories from clients and volunteers.
• Highlight community partnerships that make our work possible.
• Provide updates on programs and events.
• Offer practical resources for families in need.
• Encourage readers with Biblical truths and hope.

What Can You Expect?
You’ll find posts that celebrate answered prayers, spotlight creative ways to get involved, and show how your support is making a real difference. We’ll also share behind-the-scenes glimpses of our food pantry, orchard, and outreach programs—because every pound of food and every act of kindness matters.

Why It Matters
Food insecurity and financial hardship affect more families than ever before. By sharing these stories and resources, we hope to inspire a community of compassion and action. Together, we can meet physical needs while pointing people to the ultimate source of hope—Jesus Christ.

Join Us
We invite you to follow along, share our posts, and partner with us in this mission. Whether through prayer, volunteering, or giving, you are part of the story God is writing in our community.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

Thank you for being here. We look forward to walking this journey with you!