Pickens County Family Connection

05/27/2026

Pickens Feeds Pickens - Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve gotten several great questions about our summer pantry campaign, so here are a few quick answers!

❓What is Pickens Feeds Pickens?
This is a community-wide effort to keep the Little Free Food Pantries at our local schools stocked all summer long so children and families have access to food while school is out.

❓How does “adopting a pantry” work?
You sign up for one week during the summer and commit to checking and stocking the pantry daily during your week.

❓How much food does it take?
It typically takes about $75 worth of food (around 50–60 items) to fully stock a pantry.

❓What kinds of food should we put in the pantry?
We recommend kid-friendly, shelf-stable foods, such as:
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Mac & cheese cups
• Granola bars
• Fruit cups & applesauce
• Ramen noodles
• Soup, ravioli, or spaghetti cans
• Crackers & snack packs
• Oatmeal packets
• Shelf-stable milk & juice boxes
Items that are easy for children to open and prepare are especially helpful!

❓Can businesses or groups participate?
Absolutely! Businesses, churches, civic groups, sports teams, families, and friend groups are all encouraged to participate.

❓What if I can’t adopt a pantry?
You can still make a huge impact by donating toward the campaign. Financial donations help us purchase food and keep the pantries stocked all summer long.

Together, we can make sure no child in Pickens County goes hungry this summer.

Sign up to adopt a pantry: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8AF2CA7F5C70-63597479-pickens

Donate here: https://givebutter.com/littlefreefoodpantries

05/26/2026

June Events with Pickens County Family Connection

We are excited to share several opportunities to connect with our community this month! All events are open to the public, and we would love to see you there.

Community Resource Center Opens
Opening Day: June 8th | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Resource Center will then be open every Monday and Friday moving forward.

Monthly Collaborative Meeting
June 10th | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Pickens County Admin Building

Jasper Craft Crew
June 13th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Community Book Club
June 17th | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Grief Group
June 24th | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

If you have questions, would like more information, or are interested in using the Community Resource Center for your own community group, please reach out to us!

📞 706-253-2319
📧 [email protected]

We are better together, and we look forward to connecting with you this June!

05/25/2026

Today we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we have today.

As many gather with family and friends this weekend, we also take time to reflect with gratitude and respect for those who served and never returned home.

If you are able, consider taking a quiet moment today to remember those who gave their lives in service.

We invite you to share in the comments. How do you honor or remember those who served on Memorial Day?

05/24/2026

05/24/2026

Summer meals are available at no cost to children 18 and under. Free summer meals start June 1st and end July 16th, 2026 at the following location:

Pickens High School - 500 Dragon Drive, Jasper
Monday - Thursday from 11:00 to 11:30

Pick up is located inside the school in the hallway between the cafeteria and the weight training room. Enter the school at the outdoor courtyard entrance on the side of the school facing the tennis courts and baseball field.

Closed the week of June 29th - July 3rd

05/23/2026

Our Pickens Feeds Pickens campaign is still going strong! If you’d like to sign up, read below!

This summer, we’re once again launching our Pickens Feeds Pickens campaign and we need your help! This is a community-wide effort to make sure that no child in Pickens County goes hungry.

When school is out, many children lose access to the regular meals they receive during the school year. To help fill that gap, we’re working to keep the Little Free Food Pantries at our Pickens County schools stocked all summer long, so every child and family in our community has access to food when they need it.

We’re inviting businesses, churches, families, civic groups, and neighbors to sign up to adopt a pantry for one week this summer.

By signing up, you’re committing to:
• Checking the pantry each day during your week
• Making sure it stays stocked with food

How you stock it is up to you! You can:
• Host a food drive ahead of time
• Collect donations from friends or coworkers
• Or simply fill the pantry yourself

Our Little Free Food Pantries are built on a simple idea: neighbors helping neighbors. Everything inside is provided by caring community members who want to make sure no one goes without.

If you’re unable to sponsor a week, you can still help! Financial donations are welcome and will be used to purchase food to keep the pantries full throughout the summer.

Together, we can make sure every child in Pickens County is fed this summer.

📅 Sign up to sponsor a week here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8AF2CA7F5C70-63597479-pickens

💜 Donate to support the campaign: https://givebutter.com/littlefreefoodpantries

05/18/2026

Mental Health Monday

“Do you love yourself? Yes. No. Maybe.”

Learning to love ourselves can be a journey. Some days it comes easily, and other days it takes a little more patience and grace. Just like caring for a garden, self love grows over time when we give it attention and kindness.

You do not have to have it all figured out today. What matters is continuing to treat yourself with compassion as you grow.

What is one small way you can show yourself kindness this week? Share in the comments and help encourage someone else along the way. 🌼

05/15/2026

Happy International Family Day!

Families come in many shapes and sizes, but what they share is connection, care, and support. Whether it is parents and children, grandparents, chosen family, or the friends who feel like family, these relationships help shape our lives and strengthen our communities.

Strong families help build strong communities. When people feel supported, encouraged, and connected, everyone benefits.

Take a moment today to reach out to someone who feels like family to you and let them know you appreciate them.

We would love to hear from you. What is something you enjoy doing with your family? Share in the comments! 😊

05/13/2026

Congratulations to our five Mini-Grant Recipients: Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, North Georgia Family Partners, North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network, Inc., Ferst Readers of Pickens County, and Appalachian CASA.

These organizations received $1,000 each in order to continue their programs supporting families in Pickens County. We are grateful for their partnership and the hard work that they do!