In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
The Grove Park community has grappled with food insecurity for years. A lack of essential businesses such as grocery stores or pharmacies has turned this area into what is known as a food desert.
The coronavirus has only exacerbated these problems, shuttering local food pantries and meat markets around the area. Additionally, many members of the community have lost their jobs in industries that have slowed since the start of the pandemic.
In an effort to help the residents in Grove Park, PAWKids, a family enrichment center founded by LaTonya Gates, will open Claudia’s House on July 14 to provide cooked meals, food items, hygiene products and more to the community.
Claudia’s House started after PAWKids received overwhelming donations of food and funds to feed people from local churches, nonprofits, businesses, community groups, and individuals—including rappers Killer Mike and T.I. The food pantry and neighborhood resource center were named after Gate’s grandmother Claudia Kemp, who raised her while Gates’ mother was in and out of prison.
“She had fourteen kids living in her house, and she took care of the whole community,” Gates said in a prepared statement. “She didn’t have much, but she would take a little and make so much out of it. She saved us.”
With more food than they had storage space, Gates leased a nearby building. They’re hoping to raise $180,000 in six months to purchase the building.
Claudia’s House will be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Grove Park residents can visit the building to fill out an application to receive meals, and PAWKids volunteers will deliver meals to those who are unable to leave their homes.
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
18 Responses
I walked past a smoker today who didn’t make any effort to social distance.
Smoking is about the only time that you can see what someone really blows out.
Why do you perpetuate “defiance”? It’s only a suggestion,
Not a mandate….
I don’t understand the “Defiance” in this. Kemp does not mandate masks statewide but does urge that we use them. Mayor goes further and demands everyone use them in City of Atl. Somehow this becomes some sort of bold DEFIANCE. Kemp believes everyone in the state, especially rural areas can decide this for themselves. Maybe it needs to be a requirement in a dense city, don’t know. It is now some type of defiant rebellion against the evil despotic governor.
as a nurse in hospital setting- this VIRUS is dangerous was HELL ! If you are not ignorant – wear a MASK ! its really NOT that difficult of a concept !
The flu is dangerous as hell also. If your immune system is compromised already then a virus that crystallizes in the lungs will surely harm you since you are already sick. Not wearing a mask does not make you ignorant. It should be your choice based on the FACT that the mask does not STOP one from getting a virus. Slows down is entirely different from stopping. You as a nurse should know that.
nowhere in her comment does she says it stops the virus. slowing it down is an effective method from keeping the hospitals from reaching capacity.
This literally isn’t enforceable. It’s like the mayor doesn’t understand the government hierarchy.
Agreed. It strange timing that the mayor is attempting to force something like this in public spaces. It makes no sense. And if it doesn’t make sense then it’s probably not true .
The irony in all this is the mayor was so careless and reckless she got covid but is trying to give us a sermon on the issue. No thank you.
The whole thing is weird. There is no penalty, which is a tacit admission that it’s not enforceable. Expect nobody to change their behavior as a result of this order.
It might not be enforceable, but it gives a business the right to refuse service to someone without a mask.
People act so entitled and rude to restaurant employees about masks, it’s disgusting.
You don’t like a business’s mask policy, don’t go there– there’s absolutely no reason to start arguing with employees/owners about it.
Geez common decency has absolutely devolved in this country.
This is absolutely ridiculous because most keep skipping over the FACT that a mask, or covering does NOT STOP this man made virus like the flu or measles or polio. Your immune system needs to be ok top condition to go in and naturally fight any foreign bacteria in the body naturally. No one is promoting eating healthy or pulling away from mucus forming foods and medicines. This mayor’s timing is off . At first she was the only 1 with COVID then 3 other family members, then she said she test after each public event she goes to, then she said she wears the mask at all time . So if you wear a mask and you still “ caught corona virus” what does mandatory wearing of a mask or cloth really prevent? You can’t prevent it or stop it you can only slow it down. This is about fear, control, and politics . Death will conquer us all eventually so to think that you will stop yourself from catching a virus similar to the common cold or to think that your fear of death will stop it is absolutely mentally insane. The cdc recommends because they know that the masks( which they recently changed to cloth on their site because complaints of people fainting were being reported) does not STOP anything . Mayor Bottoms is now creating a situation where the state and city level are not on the same page which will cause conflict amongst the people who are sheep and folllow and those who are using common sense. The mask stops oxygen from flowing freely into the lungs and nasal area. Lack of proper oxygen into the body will weaken the immune system and create congestion in the lungs due to breathing in more carbon than oxygen. This is disappointing to hear and see that our political officials are not using common sense. The mask does not stop anything . Read and comprehend. I hope that Kemp stays strong and not get bullied into trying to force people to wear a mask or cloth in public . That’s infringing on your human right to choose .
You, Taylor, are an absolute IDIOT. Stop getting your facts from Fox News and Facebook.
it’s your right to choose not to come into atlanta, please stay tf away
Bro you need to get your head checked.
This is actually the best thing I’ve ever heard on this website. Thank you so much for showing concern about this plandemic by explaining that most of us need to be naturally exposed to this virus to properly fight it off! I hate wearing masks because they literally asphyxiate me after 5 minutes of wearing it
If Bottoms defies Kemp with her illegal order, I will defy Bottoms and not wear one
You’re not alone