NFCC’s History and Mission
It all started with a few people who cared.
In 1982, a group of citizens shared their concern over the growing poverty in Fulton County, particularly north of the Chattahoochee River. They arranged a meeting with Mary Drake, a Director of Economic Opportunity Atlanta (EOA), to propose a program that would open a food pantry and assist residents with emergency financial aid.
Faith partners from eight local churches came together in 1983 to incorporate North Fulton Community Charities, which achieved its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1988.
In its first year, NFCC served 465 families with over $43,000 in emergency assistance and $17,000 in food.
NFCC’s History and Mission
It all started with a few people who cared.
In 1982, a group of citizens shared their concern over the growing poverty in Fulton County, particularly north of the Chattahoochee River. They arranged a meeting with Mary Drake, a Director of Economic Opportunity Atlanta (EOA), to propose a program that would open a food pantry and assist residents with emergency financial aid.
Faith partners from eight local churches came together in 1983 to incorporate North Fulton Community Charities, which achieved its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1988.
In its first year, NFCC served 465 families with over $43,000 in emergency assistance and $17,000 in food.
How NFCC Has Grown
In its grassroots beginnings, NFCC served several hundred families from a small, one-room office with a single desk and a few pantry shelves. As the North Fulton community grew over the years, NFCC continued to expand its services to meet the changing needs of the families it serves.
Today, approximately 9,500 individuals receive food, clothing, emergency funding, education, and workforce services every year. NFCC now operates out of 41,000 square feet among two buildings on Elkins Road and a satellite pantry on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.
What began as an inspired effort in 1983 now stands as a pillar of hope, empowering families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
1971
The Community Clothes Closet Opens
Six local churches opened a volunteer-run Community Clothes Closet to help North Fulton families in need.
1982
Food Pantry Opens and Mary Drake Steps In
Community and faith leaders met with Mary Drake, director of Economic Opportunity Atlanta, to discuss how they could assist struggling families in the area. They joined forces, and several churches took turns stocking the food pantry month after month. Mary Drake began working directly with clients to provide financial assistance.
1983
NFCC Officially Forms
NFCC officially incorporated. Run entirely by volunteers, NFCC became the main source of emergency financial relief and food assistance in Roswell and Alpharetta.
1984
Seasonal Programs Launch
NFCC began offering seasonal programs, such as giving Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents to local needy families. In the first year, the programs served a few dozen families. Today, our seasonal programs serve around 1,700 of our neighbors in need.
1990
Barbara Duffy Becomes Executive Director
In 1990, NFCC hired its first Executive Director, Barbara Duffy—a role she would hold for nearly 30 years. Barbara Duffy and Mary Drake served out of a one-room office inside the Community Clothes Closet at the North Fulton Human Service Center at 89 Grove Way.
1991
The Community Clothes Closet Merges With NFCC
The Community Clothes Closet—our largest financial contributor at the time—officially became part of NFCC.
1994
Girl Scouts Start Warm Coat Program
Girl Scout Cadet Troop 628 started the Warm Coats program as part of their Gold Award. The program continues today, now supplying more than 1,100 coats and other winter accessories for families in need.
1998
NFCC Distributes Backpacks to Students
NFCC launched its Back to School program in 1998. In its first year, the program provided school supplies to 350 students. Today, the program distributes around 1,000 backpacks each year.
2000
Mary Drake Retires
NFCC founder Mary Drake retired from NFCC in 2000. She dedicated 34 years of service to the community and spent 17 years with NFCC.
2005
Elkins Center Opens
NFCC purchased and renovated a former motorcycle shop at 11270 Elkins Road, converting it to NFCC’s food pantry and thrift shop. The move expanded the space from a one-room operation to 20,000 square feet.
2005
Hurricane Katrina Impacts Thousands
Three weeks after moving into the new NFCC location, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Thousands of people were displaced to the metro Atlanta area. With an influx of evacuees in the area, NFCC experienced an overwhelming surge of people in need of assistance. NFCC served 328 evacuee families that year.
2012
Education Center Opens
In 2010, NFCC launched its Family Enrichment program to help clients move toward long-term financial stability. In 2012, NFCC purchased the land across the street from the main building and opened the education center. The dedicated classroom space and computer lab allowed NFCC to double its class offerings.
2019
Barbara Duffy Retires
After nearly 30 years as the executive director, Barbara Duffy retired from NFCC.
2020
COVID-19 Changes Everything
The COVID-19 pandemic forced NFCC to temporarily close. Staff and volunteers worked to safely provide services within CDC guidelines. The Food Pantry adopted a new software that enables clients to shop for items digitally. Virtual case management appointments were also made available.
2021-2022
Education and Case Management Expands
The Barbara Duffy Center, a 20,000 square foot facility for education, case management, and administration, opened in April 2021. The following year, NFCC added evening hours so more people could attend classes and appointments.
2022
Sandy Holiday Joins as Executive Director
Sandy Holiday was welcomed as the new executive director of NFCC in 2022.
2023
NFCC is Voted Atlanta’s Best™ Thrift Shop
In 2023, NFCC was voted Atlanta’s Best™ thrift shop.
2023
Satellite ESL Classes Begin
Through a partnership with St. David’s Episcopal Church, NFCC piloted ESL classes at faith partner locations. NFCC now offers classes at St. David’s, Bridge to Grace Church, and Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church.
2024
Barbara Duffy Center is Completed
Second-floor construction of the Barbara Duffy Center added more classrooms, meeting spaces, and offices to accommodate the increased growth of education and workforce development offerings.
2024
NFCC is Voted Best Nonprofit
Appen Media named NFCC Best Nonprofit for 2024 in recognition of its vital role in serving the community.
Making an Impact Beyond Ourselves
Since its founding, NFCC has catalyzed many other agencies that relieve hunger and homelessness in Fulton County:
NFCC Housing
Committee
In 1991, NFCC created a Housing Committee to establish affordable, transitional, and emergency housing in North Fulton.
Habitat North Fulton
Housing Committee members, including Barbara Duffy, facilitated the creation of Habitat North Fulton in 1992.
Homestretch
By 1993, the NFCC Housing Committee converted to the Housing Initiatives of North Fulton, now known as Homestretch. Today, the agency provides transitional housing and budgeting programs to working residents.
The Drake House
Named after Mary Drake, NFCC helped establish The Drake House in 2004, serving as a fiscal agent alongside Leadership North Fulton. The program manages 16 emergency housing units for homeless mothers in the community.
Family Promise
NFCC acted as a fiscal agent for the church-based shelter, Family Promise, which formed in 2011. The charity offers congregational housing for families with children.
NFCC Housing
Committee
In 1991, NFCC created a Housing Committee to establish affordable, transitional, and emergency housing in North Fulton.
Habitat North Fulton
Housing Committee members, including Barbara Duffy, facilitated the creation of Habitat North Fulton in 1992.
Homestretch
By 1993, the NFCC Housing Committee converted to the Housing Initiatives of North Fulton, now known as Homestretch. Today, the agency provides transitional housing and budgeting programs to working residents.
The Drake House
Named after Mary Drake, NFCC helped establish The Drake House in 2004, serving as a fiscal agent alongside Leadership North Fulton. The program manages 16 emergency housing units for homeless mothers in the community.
Family Promise
NFCC acted as a fiscal agent for the church-based shelter, Family Promise, which formed in 2011. The charity offers congregational housing for families with children.
Our Vision for the Future
North Fulton Community Charities’ long history of addressing homelessness and hunger has touched thousands of lives. Yet the need for crisis support, affordable housing, and stable resources remains.
With your help, NFCC and our partner programs have grown to meet these challenge while fostering meaningful connections for over 40 years. Every generous donation, volunteer, and act of service fuels NFCC’s mission to help our neighbors who are most vulnerable— families, marginalized individuals, single mothers, seniors, and veterans.
The domino effect of poverty stops here. When we stabilize one family with food, shelter, and hope, we strengthen the entire community. Your support ensures no neighbor has to struggle alone.
Did you know:
The government defines “affordable housing” as a residence where occupants spend no more than 30% of their income on housing expenses.
