PeopleHelpingPeople2Thrive

🌱 Green Grant Opportunities Are Blooming — and We’re Ready to Grow! 🌱

At SugaFoot Farms and People Helping People 2 Thrive (PHP2Thrive), we believe that from the farm to the community, real change happens when we invest in education, food access, and hands-on learning. 💚

Here are some incredible funding opportunities available right now for nonprofits, schools, and Tribes working to advance food justice, sustainable growing, and nutrition education:

🍅 Whole Foods Market Foundation Garden Grants
Up to $3,500 to help start or expand edible learning spaces for K–12 schools — especially in under-resourced communities.
📅 Apply by March 1, 2026
https://lnkd.in/gssV5uds

🌽 First Nations Development Institute – Native Food Sovereignty Grants
Funding ranging from $10K–$40K supporting Native food traditions, farm-to-school programs, and food systems governance.
📅 Apply by March 17, 2026
https://lnkd.in/evd3e6Dt

🥗 Chef Ann Foundation – Salad Bars to Schools Grant
Equipment, training, and resources to help schools implement self-serve salad bars and strengthen healthy eating programs.
📅 Apply by March 31, 2026
https://lnkd.in/eHNzzN_F

🍓 Food Justice for Kids Prize
Grants up to $100K over two years for organizations advancing food justice and nutrition access for children.
📅 Apply by April 28, 2026
https://lnkd.in/e-BiBUMp

✨ These opportunities align beautifully with our mission — using farming, education, and community collaboration to help people thrive.

Whether we’re planting seeds, teaching youth, supporting families, or building stronger food systems, we are committed to growing impact together.

💚 Follow along as SugaFoot Farms + PHP2Thrive continue building bridges between agriculture, wellness, and community empowerment.

Another Opportunity for Tax Preparation

Tax season is here! Be sure to file your 2025 income tax return by Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

Residents age 55 and older can access free tax preparation services through AARP by appointment. Please refer to the flyer for nearby AARP Tax-Aide locations, then contact the location closest to you to confirm availability and schedule an appointment!

If you have questions, please call AARP Tax Aide at 888-227-7669. For required documents: https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/important-tax-documents/

GENCenter

GENCenter Township of Schaumburg Schaumburg Township

Thankful

* FREE self-paced online course for Georgia parents, caregivers, and professionals *

Competitive Integrated Employment helps youth with disabilities build independence, gain job skills, and become active members of their community.

Join us for this free, self-paced course to learn how youth can work in the community, earn minimum wage or higher, and build a future after high school. Even students with significant disabilities can succeed at work with the right supports.

This session will cover the benefits of working, address common fears and myths, and share practical ways to remove barriers to getting and keeping a job.

This training is open from March 9, 2026 through April 6, 2026.

Training can be accessed any time during these 3 weeks.

Certification of completion of 2 hours will be provided to participants who complete this training.

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/42u8nfnd

Presented by PEATC in partnership with Parent to Parent of Georgia

🌱 PHP2Thrive is Walking for Change! 🌱

Come join us!
We’re proud to support the 42nd Annual Hunger Walk Run happening March 15, 2026 at The Home Depot Backyard.

At PHP2Thrive, we believe real change happens when community comes together — and this event is one powerful way to stand united against hunger.

👟 Join us in-person or virtually
🤝 Walk alongside thousands committed to making a difference
❤️ Help bring hope, nourishment, and support to families in need

Every step we take is a step toward a stronger, healthier community.

🔗 Click the link to register today and walk with purpose!

Looking for a way to give back to your community? Sign up for a volunteer shift at the Food Bank!

The Food Bank has two volunteer shifts a day, seven days a week. You can choose to volunteer in our Hunger Action Center (East Point) or one of our four Community Food Centers (Stone Mountain, Marietta, Jonesboro, and Atlanta).

Lend a hand, help a neighbor. www.acfb.org/volunteer

🌱✨ BIG NEWS — We’re Building Something Special! ✨🌱

What if one community could help you learn skills that actually change lives?

The PHP2Thrive Learning Collective is officially LIVE on Skool — a space where we grow together through education, real conversations, and real-life skills that matter.

Inside you’ll find:

❤️ CPR & life-saving training
🌿 Farm & beginner agriculture education
📚 Personal growth & leadership learning
🤝 Community support & collaboration

This isn’t just another group… it’s a learning family where people help people thrive 💚

👇 I’d love to know —
What’s ONE skill you wish more people learned today?
(Reply in the comments 👇👇)

And if you believe in learning, growing, and helping others rise — share this post so we can reach more hearts and hands together.

✨ Let’s grow. Learn. Thrive. ✨

Did you know? Free tax preparation services in Jackson County, Georgia for the 2026 season are primarily available through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide programs. These programs generally serve individuals with low-to-moderate income (typically $66,000 or less for VITA), persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Locations
VITA sites provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing by IRS-certified volunteers.
United Way of Northeast Georgia: While they do not list a fixed site in Jefferson or Commerce, they support regional VITA efforts and provide the MyFreeTaxes tool for households earning $69,000 or less to file for free.
Goodwill Southern Rivers: Offers VITA services for those earning $67,000 or less. In-person appointments began February 2, 2026, and run through April 15, 2026. Check the Goodwill Southern Rivers Website for specific satellite dates in Jackson County.
University of Georgia (UGA) VITA: Based in nearby Athens, this program serves the surrounding community. Appointments can be scheduled through the UGA VITA website.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide (Ages 50+)
Tax-Aide focuses on taxpayers over 50 or those with low-to-moderate income. Membership is not required.
Athens-Clarke County Library: 2025 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30606. This is the primary nearby site for Jackson County residents. Services are available by appointment from February 3 to April 15, 2026.
Locate Additional Sites: Use the AARP Tax-Aide Locator to find popup locations in Jefferson or Commerce as they are added throughout February.
Preparation Checklist
To ensure your return can be completed, you must bring the following to your appointment:
Identification: Government-issued photo ID for yourself and your spouse.
Social Security: Original Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return.
Income Documents: All W-2s, 1099s (interest, dividends, social security, unemployment), and 1098 forms.
Last Year's Return: A copy of your 2024 federal and state tax returns.
Banking: A voided check or account/routing numbers for direct deposit of your refund.
For the most current list of active sites, use the IRS VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.