Programs & Services
Assessment/Referral
At MUST we believe that to meet our clients' needs, we really need to get to know them as persons. MUST provides individual assessments for each client accessing weekday services. When able, we meet needs. When appropriate, we provide referral to other resources in the community. To this end, all MUST program offices participate in the Pathways Community Network.
Food Pantry
At MUST we believe that the blessings of our community are ample enough to ensure that no person need go hungry. MUST provides canned and other non-perishable goods free of charge to Cobb and Cherokee County residents in need. Families and individuals may obtain food through one of MUST's 3 food pantries during regular service hours (10 am - 2 pm Mon - Fri). Households may receive food up to four times per year. Photo ID and proof of residence are required documentation, along with social security numbers for everyone requesting service, or birth certificates for children
Clothes Closet
At MUST we believe that "hand-me-downs" are not just for little brothers and sisters but for neighbors in need as well. MUST provides new and used clothing free of charge to Cobb and Cherokee County residents in need. Families and individuals may obtain clothing through one of MUST's 3 clothes closets during regular service hours (10 am - 2 pm Mon - Fri). While clothing allotments per individual are generous, quantities of specific clothing items are often limited. Photo ID and proof of residence are required documentation, along with social security numbers for everyone requesting service, or birth certificates for children. Individuals can visit the MUST Smyrna clothes closet once a week.
Financial Assistance
At MUST we believe that the prevention of homelessness begins with avoiding evictions and foreclosures. MUST provides emergency financial assistance with rent and/or utilities to persons living in Cobb and Cherokee County. Application for financial assistance must be made in person at your local MUST program office during regular service hours (10 am - 2 pm Mon - Fri). Availability of funds varies during the course of the year, and each application is reviewed on a case by case basis. If you have questions about financial assistance, and/or your eligibility we encourage you to call your local MUST office.
Bread and Sweets
At MUST we believe that too much food gets wasted and thrown away in our community. MUST provides perishable donated breads and sweets to persons living in Cobb and Cherokee County. There are no documentation requirements for eligibility; however, there are limits on the quantity and frequency which vary with availability.
Employment and Education
At MUST we believe that breaking the cycle of poverty often begins with equipping persons with the skills necessary to obtain and maintain a job. MUST provides both individualized job coaching and group-centered learning activities in an attempt to enhance the marketable skills of persons living in poverty. Our education offerings include budgeting and other lifeskills classes. Many of our educational offerings are designed to complement our core programs: housing, financial assistance, food pantry, etc. However, some education and employment offerings are stand-alone programs, where people can access services simply by requesting them at one of our program offices during regular service hours (10 am - 2 pm Mon - Fri).
Seasonal Programs
At MUST we believe that each child, each family, deserves to experience the fullness of life. MUST provides a number of special seasonal programs, many of which focus on the lives of children. Most of these programs originated in the hearts and hands of our volunteers. Whether it be putting a sack lunch, a backpack full of school supplies, or a special toy in the hands of a child, we take pride in filling in the gaps. If you are interested in any of our seasonal programs, please contact your local MUST office. Our programs include:
- Summer Lunch
- Back to School
- Thanksgiving/Holiday Boxed Meals
- Christmas Toy Shop
- Easter Gift Baskets
Housing
For information on Housing click here.
For churches referring individuals to MUST for services, click here for more information.