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Healthcare Georgia Foundation to spread word on trauma system
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Staff Report
Updated: Jul 24, 2008, 9:00 AM
Published: Jul 2, 2008, 9:24 PM

Healthcare Georgia Foundation has awarded a $398,000 grant to fund a trauma awareness campaign designed to educate Georgians about the need for a statewide trauma system and help keep the issue in the public eye.

The grant was awarded to Atlanta communications firm Hayslett Group LLC, which will implement an intensive 10-month program of grassroots awareness, public relations and advertising.

The trauma awareness campaign is the latest in a series of efforts funded by Healthcare Georgia Foundation aimed at helping to establish a statewide trauma system that will serve all Georgians, including many in rural areas of the state that are currently lacking access to adequate emergency transportation and trauma care.

Previous Foundation grants supported surveys conducted by the Survey Research Center at the University of Georgia which found that two-thirds of the Georgians responding would be willing to pay $25 or more a year to support a statewide trauma system because it saves lives. Reece and Associates received Foundation support to define the capacity of the essential elements of a statewide trauma system including hospitals, physicians, EMS, 911, rehabilitation facilities and other components. A Healthcare Georgia Foundation grant also supported research this year by consultant Bishop and Associates which was instrumental in the development of a formula used by the state’s Trauma Care Network Commission to distribute $58.9 million in state funds to trauma centers, physicians and EMS providers.

The latest grant demonstrates Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s belief that a trauma care system is one of the state’s most immediate and important health care needs, according to Healthcare Georgia Foundation president Gary Nelson.

“The Georgia Legislature has wrestled with the trauma issue for several years and made real progress,” said Nelson. “But the failure earlier this year to act on dedicated long-term trauma care funding was a setback for efforts to provide financial support for existing trauma centers and expand the system. More importantly, it meant that lives would continue to be lost unnecessarily. The campaign will heighten awareness of Georgians — from the general public to policymakers — of the need to take action and establish a statewide trauma care network.”

The first step in implementing the project will be to bring together physicians, nurses, EMS providers, hospital representatives, local government officials, business leaders and others to discuss an action plan that will start this summer and continue through spring 2009.

Motor vehicle crashes, falls, gunshot wounds and other traumatic injuries cause more than 5,000 deaths in Georgia and result in more than 100,000 calls for emergency medical services (EMS). Trauma patients who receive care at a trauma center within the first hour following the injury have a better chance of survival.

But Georgia is served by only 15 trauma centers — about half the number needed, according to state health officials — and does not have a comprehensive, coordinated statewide trauma system. As a result, trauma death rates are significantly higher than the national average. Between 600 and 700 lives a year could be saved if Georgia’s trauma death rate was at the national average.

For more information, visit the Foundation at: www.healthcaregeorgia.org.
Manna House Expands Thanksgiving Giveaway Amid Rising Need
Rising Grocery Costs in Georgia and Loss of SNAP Benefits Drive Record Local Demand
Manna House
Liz Quarterman, operations manager at Manna House, packs a Thanksgiving 'Box of Hope' for a local family. This year, volunteers helped assemble 1,100 boxes to ensure every household in need can enjoy a holiday meal. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)
Updated: Nov 22, 2025, 6:36 PM
Published: Nov 20, 2025, 6:13 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Manna House has expanded its annual Thanksgiving “Boxes of Hope” giveaway to meet growing demand as families face the loss of SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown and continue to struggle with rising grocery prices. 

Many families in Effingham County are struggling more now than they ever have before. Grocery prices in Georgia have risen an estimated 6.57% over the past year.

Distribution hours and location
Distribution is taking place at Manna House, 1210 Patriot Drive in Rincon, and continues Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. The giveaway runs through Nov. 25.

Operations Manager on growing need
Operations Manager Liz Quarterman said the ministry increased its distribution from 800 to 1,100 boxes after seeing an unprecedented spike in local need.

“Three hundred new families have come forward since Nov. 1 seeking assistance,” she said. “Even families with two incomes are struggling to buy groceries and put food on the table. Prices are skyrocketing.”

To meet the surge, Manna House purchased an additional 300 boxes using its own budget at a cost of about $9,000, Quarterman said.

Each "Box of Hope" contains all the essentials for a full Thanksgiving meal, including a frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, peaches, cranberry sauce, yams, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, marshmallow cream, Jell-O, rice, mac and cheese, dried milk, brownie mix, Jiffy mix, and a dozen eggs. Flatware, napkins, and cups are included as well.

Quarterman said the cost of each box would be about $150 at grocery-store prices. Through bulk purchasing from Harvest House, Manna House acquires the food at about 10 cents per pound — roughly $20 per box.

Manna House
Volunteer Laurie Jamison directs traffic at Manna House’s Thanksgiving distribution center. This year’s giveaway drew more than 150 volunteers — the most ever in the organization’s history — helping assemble and distribute 1,100 “Boxes of Hope” to families in need. (Nichole Buchanan / Effingham Herald)

Manna House in Rincon
Manna House in Rincon is a nonprofit ministry that provides food assistance, clothing, and household items to those in need in Effingham County. It operates a food pantry with weekly distributions and a thrift store whose sales help fund the pantry’s operations. The organization also hosts school supply drives and holiday assistance programs like "Boxes of Hope."

“Manna House provides food for over 16,000 households in need each year, and we’ve seen that number rise during the government shutdown,” Quarterman said. “'The Boxes of Hope' are especially meaningful. Every family deserves to enjoy a holiday meal, and thanks to our generous donors and faithful volunteers, we are blessed to share God’s love in this way.”

“If you need food, we are here,” Quarterman said. “If you know someone who needs food, we are here.”

Volunteer turnout sets record
Quarterman said this year’s giveaway sparked the largest volunteer turnout in Manna House history. More than 150 volunteers have helped distribute the boxes.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “So many people are volunteering. This is the best county in the world.”