The Red & Black is a 501c3 nonprofit. Please consider a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter. Cancel anytime. Downtown Ministries, a local nonprofit Christian organization supporting children in Athens, held its 10th annual Legacy of Hope Impact Banquet fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 22, for roughly 150 students, staff and donors. Cary Rivers, Downtown Ministries director of development, said this year was marked by “growth fueled by generosity” for the organization. Founded in 2003 out of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Downtown Ministries began with a single children’s football team, which expanded into a sports program called “Downtown Falcons” — a program the Downtown Ministries website calls the “cornerstone” of their organization. The program includes football, basketball, cheerleading and golf teams that compete against other youth groups in Athens and across Northeast Georgia. Downtown Ministries also partners with Our Daily Bread (ODB) community kitchen, providing food and health screenings to individuals experiencing homelessness. ODB Director of Operations Betty Booker said ODB has served more than 32,000 meals so far this year. “We want every guest to know that they do matter, and that they are valuable and that someone genuinely cares for them,” Booker said. An individual who experienced homelessness in Athens for six years said the community kitchen did more than provide warm meals. It also helped her secure housing, access legal counsel and reconnect with…
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