Online Athens/Athens Banner Herald

2021 Empty Stocking Fund

To donate to the Empty Stocking Fund, click here.

We will be taking referrals December 1, 2021.

Please do not submit a referral prior to December 1. 

The Athens-Banner Herald Empty Stocking Fund has been a source for your agency 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 rent and take care of many other necessary expenses, including medical, power and water bills. Since 2018, we partnered with the Athens Area Community Foundation to handle all funds donated to assist those in need.

Who is eligible?  Referrals must be made by 501C3’s government agencies, or schools on behalf of individuals.

How do you submit referrals? All referrals will be submitted through the online referral form. Please us the buttons above or below to submit a referral. In addition, we will have the link available at www.athensareacf.org.

How do you receive funds? When a referral is approved, the agency that does the referral is responsible for submitting payment to the vendor on behalf of the client and then the fund will reimburse the agency within 3 business days. You will receive payment from Athens Area Community Foundation, who will be handling all funds donated to assist those in need. If the agency would like to pickup this reimbursement check the Athens Area Community Foundation office is inside Synovus downtown (150 West Hancock) on the second floor.

For individuals seeking support, please connect with the 211 hotline by dialing 2-1-1 on any phone.

We will begin taking referrals December 1. CLICK HERE to submit an Empty Stocking Fund Referral

Thank you for helping us help those in need.

Sincerely,

Caitlyn Stroh-Page, Executive Editor │Sarah McKinney, President/CEO