Empty Stocking Fund
Thank you so much for your continued support and referrals to the Empty Stocking Fund this holiday season! Due to a high volume of referrals since December 2, 2024, we made the decision to close the fund to new referrals for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.
As of Tuesday, December 17th, we will not be processing any new referrals to the Empty Stocking Fund. If you submitted a referral after 11am on Friday, December 13, 2024 we will not be able to process your referral. We’re incredibly grateful for everything you do to help others, both during the holidays and year-round. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Athens-Banner Herald Empty Stocking Fund has been a source for local agencies to assist those in need in the Athens area for many years. Funds raised through the Empty Stocking campaign are used to help families at risk of eviction pay for necessary expenses, including medical, power/water, and car bills. Since 2018, The Athens-Banner Herald has partnered with the Athens Area Community Foundation to handle all funds donated to assist those in need.
- To submit referrals, organizations must:
- Be a 501c3, church, or public school
- Have participated in a pre-season Zoom call
- Send a staff member to attend at least 1 trauma-related training in Q1 2025
- Agree to submit a proof of bill document and pay the bill on behalf of the individual
Click here to donate to the Empty Stocking Fund