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

Aldersgate/Collinswood is an organization in North Georgia dedicated to serving the disabilities community through advocacy, learning opportunities, retreats and recreation.

Alliance for Literacy

The mission of the Alliance for Literacy is to increase the literacy rate in our area by 

•  promoting education for adults in basic skills and reading

•  helping underwrite English as a Second Language (ESL) classes

• supporting students' preparation for the GED exam leading to a High School Equivalency Diploma

• aiding other organizations and individuals in their efforts to promote literacy

Bridging Hope

Bridging Hope was created to assist anyone over the age of 13 who is a survivor of sexual assault or abuse. Their mission is to help care for the physical and mental wellbeing of survivors, as well as guide them along their recovery – this includes advising on any legal or judicial proceedings.

Center for Hope and Healing

The Children's Center for Hope and Healing's mission is to restore dignity, trust and hope to individuals and families traumatized by child sexual abuse through accessible and effective therapy, advocacy, and education.

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.

The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential

The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential, affectionately known simply as GCAPP, is a statewide adolescent health organization that works with hundreds of schools and other youth-serving organizations so that young people have the information, knowledge, and motivation they need to make healthy lifestyle choices that maximize their potential. Founded in 1995, GCAPP impacts over 80,000 young people each year as they journey through adolescence and into the rest of their lives. We help youth mitigate risks that often result in negative consequences that are difficult to overcome.

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

Gateway provides safety, shelter and support for those impacted by domestic violence.

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 Clinics provides free medical and dental care to uninsured, low-income residents of Hall County.

Good News at Noon

Good News at Noon Food Ministry

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.

Jubilee Farm

Jubilee Farm is a 501C3 partnership of non-profit agencies that has been growing produce in downtown Gainesville for over a decade. If you are looking for a way to enjoy fellowship as you serve God and provide for the community, digging in the dirt at Jubilee Farm is a great opportunity. All volunteers are welcome on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8—10 am (9-11am when the light changes and heat wanes). No experience is necessary and the benefits are immeasurable! The farm is located at on the property of First Baptist Church with the entrance near First Baptist Road and Bradford Street. Contact Danny Askew for more information at ldadea@charter.net.

My Sister's Place

My Sister’s Place is a Christ-centered shelter that restores hope for single women and mothers with children who are experiencing homelessness. Our program helps to rebuild stability by providing a loving and welcoming environment, spiritual growth opportunities, community connections, and life-skills training to support the journey to housing independence.  

Murphy-Harpst Children's Home

Since its founding in 1924, Murphy-Harpst has provided hope and healing for Georgia’s most vulnerable children. Sarah Murphy and Ethel Harpst, two Christian women with similar passions to provide a safe and loving environment to hurting and disadvantaged children, led separate homes in Georgia throughout the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Salvation Army

From its inception, The Salvation Army has relied heavily on volunteers who support its programs. Often referred to as "the army behind The Army," volunteers play a crucial role The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality social services for the entire community.

Volunteers are valuable assets in The Salvation Army's efforts to meet the changing needs of our world. Through the skills and experience they bring to The Army, volunteers make significant contributions to society by positively impacting the lives of those they assist. Salvation Army volunteers change lives, uplift families, and support communities throughout our nation every day.

Wesley Woods

Since 1953, Wesley Woods has been making the retirement experience healthy and fulfilling for older adults of all income levels, races and faiths.