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Stimulus funds to help reforest Georgia land
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Staff Report
Updated: Oct 29, 2009, 10:05 PM
Published: Oct 29, 2009, 10:06 PM

The Georgia Forestry Commission has embarked on a reforestation project made possible by funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The first of five grants totaling $9.7 million will provide for the planting of seedlings in a suburban Atlanta forest.

“This is the first contracted activity we’ve completed with an ARRA grant,” said Lee Brown, GFC grants manager. “We have partnered with Chesnut Forestry, which has begun work in the Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area in preparation for the planting of 70,000 longleaf pine seedlings.”
The Paulding Forest WMA is a 25,000 acre tract located in Paulding and Polk counties west of Atlanta, near Dallas.

During the first week of October, Chesnut Forestry performed an aerial application of herbicides to control unwanted hardwood sprouting and herbaceous growth on 115 acres in Paulding Forest, according to Brown. The herbicide application is the first step in the process of preparing to plant the seedlings in December.

Funded by the ARRA, the Regional Longleaf Pine Restoration Initiative project, administered by the GFC, will reestablish longleaf pines in the southeast U.S. Longleaf pine forests are highly valued for their resistance to damage by insects, diseases, wildfire and storms, and for their yield of high quality wood products, biological diversity and scenic beauty.

Four other forestry-related ARRA grants will be administered in the months ahead as part of the ARRA plan to help stimulate the economy and benefit Georgia’s environment. The funds will not replace or supplant state mandated GFC budget reductions, but can only be used for the creation of new, temporary positions in the forestry industry.

“These proposals will enhance GFC initiatives beyond what was possible under current austere budget conditions,” said Robert Farris, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. “The work will have multiple benefits, including reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, fighting invasive plant species and reaching out to thousands of landowners who need updated forest management plans.”

For more information about GFC-administered ARRA grants, visit GaTrees.org or call 1-800-GA-TREES.
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.”