Towns Democrats Hold Health Drive for Schools

 

Towns County Democrats Vice Chair Tammy Bates, right, delivered hundreds of items donated through the Towns County Democrats Health Drive for Schools to the local Family Connections office on Thursday, Jan. 22.  Accepting the items is Angela Hunnicut, Family Connections director for the Towns County School System.

"We're here to help our neighbors," Food Pantry staff tells Towns Democrats

The Towns County Food Pantry wants the people of Towns County to know they're here to help — and anyone who comes to the food pantry to collect food is considered a neighbor. 

Food Pantry Coordinator JoAnne Wood and volunteers Kaelyn Bosrock and Lynnell Gandy spoke to Towns County Democrats at their monthly meeting Jan. 8. Their message was about getting the word out about how the food pantry — located at 1294 Jack Dayton Circle in Hiawassee — is open to any resident of Towns County regardless of income.

Receiving food "is not a process that involves a lot of paperwork," Wood said.  "We do not require ID or proof of income." The food pantry, which is a cooperative ministry, does ask recipients their name, the number of people in their household, and estimated household income.

All food pantry recipients are considered neighbors, Wood said.   In November and December 2024, the food pantry served more than 1,100 Towns County neighbors, according to Wood.

Food distributed at the pantry is sourced through the Northeast Georgia Food Bank in Athens and purchased with donations; through the U.S. Department of Agriculture from which the food pantry purchases boxes of food for $5 containing some $15-$20 worth of food; through a mobile pantry which delivers mostly produce purchased at a flat rate; and through food — including pet food — donated to the pantry. 

Distribution days are the first and third Wednesday of each month, but food can be obtained from the food pantry any day the pantry is open, namely Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. To 4 p.m., Wood said. Towns County residents may also come to the pantry and "shop" the shelves — at no cost — for items specific to their needs and likes.  The shelves are stocked with items donated to the pantry but not in sufficient quantity to go into the 90-plus boxes given out on distribution days.  Shelved items might include cereal, pancake mix, syrup, pasta and pasta sauces, among others. 

Wood has been food pantry coordinator since October 2024.  A Towns County resident for more than a decade, she is bringing new ideas to the position, such as including a recipe that includes some of the items in each box given out on distribution days.  And Wood is using her bartering skills to expand the pantry's offerings, trading five very large bags of cabbage heads for eggs and loaves of bread "which our seniors just loved getting!"

In addition to distribution days, the food pantry on Tuesdays delivers boxes to homebound Towns County residents and each week packs 145 bags for Towns County school students to take home over the weekend.  Volunteers deliver the school backpacks on Thursdays and school bus drives distribute them on Fridays.

At the heart of the food pantry's efforts are its volunteers, or "my angels," Wood said, and "can pack 90 boxes in 22 minutes."  Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to, packing boxes, packing school bags, cleaning the pantry, organizing the food that has been delivered and donated, checking expiration dates, and making homebound deliveries.  Local school students also work as volunteers, Wood noted. 

"We are trying to get the word out, because many people don't know we're here," volunteer Kaelyn Bosrock said. "We want to reach more people," said volunteer Lynnell Gandy.  The food pantry is now on Facebook, Gandy noted. "This is our year of community awareness," Wood added. 

The pantry's biggest need presently is individually wrapped snacks containing no peanuts or peanut butter for the school kids, Wood said.  In addition to private donations of items and funding, she is looking at approaching national name-brand companies to help fulfill this need and others.

Towns County Food Pantry personnel, from left, Lynnell Gandy, Kaelyn Bosrock, and JoAnne Wood spoke to Towns County Democrats at their monthly meeting on Jan. 8.  Among those attending was Charlotte Sleczkowski, right, a food pantry volunteer herself and the Democrats' coordinator for food pantry donations.  In 2024, Towns County Democrats donated $2,530 to the local food pantry. 

Democrats Thank Volunteers in 2025 Elections

 

Towns County Democrats recognized those who helped with Contest Every Race (CER) efforts in 2025 with a special "We Love Volunteers" cake at the Democrats' annual holiday party.  From left are a few of the group's volunteers: Ginger England, Andrea Brannen, CER Coordinator Charlotte Sleczkowski, Bob Sleczkowski, and Trish Hull.  CER is a movement to ensure that every public office -- local, state, and national -- across the United States is contested.  Its mission is to strengthen democracy by empowering individuals to run for office.

Democrats Donate to Food Bank

 

JoAnne Wood, Towns County Food Pantry coordinator, accepts a check for $450 from Towns County Democrats presented Dec. 22 by David Plunkett, Towns County Democrats chair.  Towns County Democrats also donated canned food and other food staples collected at their annual holiday party.  These donations follow food and $2,080 in donations prior to Thanksgiving.

Towns County Democrats Donate to Food Pantry

Towns County Democrats Nov. 24, 2025, donated $2,080 and several types of canned goods and food staples - including pet food - to the Towns County Food Pantry to provide meals for local families at Thanksgiving.  Presenting the check to JoAnne Wood, Food Pantry Coordinator, second from left, are: from left Tammy Bates, TC Democrats vice chair; Charlotte Sleczkowsky, TC Democrats project leader and immediate past chair; and David Plunkett, TC Democrats chair.

Family Connections Coordinator Addresses Towns Democrats

 Karen Nicholson of Towns County Family Connection was guest speaker at the Nov. 13, 2025, meeting of the Towns County Democrats along with Angela Hunnicut. 

As youth coordinator, Nicholson facilitates the Family Connection mentor program.  The program connects members of the Towns County community with local students who could benefit from a caring advisory relationship.

The commitment of being a mentor requires one hour each week from late August until early May.  The ages of students - who participate with their parents' permission - range from kindergarten to high school.

All volunteers must pass a background check, including fingerprinting for which Family Connection pays.

Towns Countians interested in serving as mentors should contact Nicholson at (706) 896-4131, extension 1235, or knicholson@townscountyschools.org.

Towns Democrats Cleanup the Shoreline

 

Towns County Democrats were among 61 volunteers who participated in the 15th annual Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup Nov. 1, 2025.  The volunteers collected 1,580 pounds of trash.  From left are David Best, Jennie Grosslight, Ginger England, Charlotte Sleczkowski, Suzanne Carter, Bob Sleczkowski, Dick Aunspaugh, Tammy Bates, and Laura Anderson.