Gwinnett has the largest homeless population of any metro Atlanta community.
Need in Our Community
There is a dire need for help in Duluth and Gwinnett County—and most people living in our community are unaware. In fact, Gwinnett County has the 3rd highest total homeless population in the state of Georgia. A few other facts might surprise you as well:
- In Gwinnett County, 11.4% of the population live in poverty (102,496 out of 900,628 people).
- A 2015 report from Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs suggests Gwinnett has the largest homeless population of any metro Atlanta community.
- In 2016, 54% of all Gwinnett County school children were eligible for free or reduced lunches. That’s almost 96,000 children—enough to fill over 1,370 school buses.
Every Dollar Counts
Making a difference
The Duluth Co-op brings our community together to provide food, emergency assistance and hope to neighbors in need. We believe churches, businesses and community members can serve together in a way that makes life better for everyone.
Check out this article about us in Southwest Gwinnett magazine!
In 2023, with the help of everyday people donating, sponsoring, and volunteering, the Duluth Co-Op was able to help neighbors in our community in big ways:
- We fed over 19,995 people—and continue to serve three times the number of clients than prior to the pandemic.
- We helped 678 families with financial assistance for rent & utility payments to help keep people in their homes.
- We distributed goods valued at $776,338 – more than twice the amount given prior to the pandemic.
Success Stories
A Brighter Financial Future
I had the pleasure of attending a financial planning seminar which I found to be very informative. At 55 years old, I found out that there were so many financial mistakes I was making that kept me from advancing in life. I walked away better informed, feeling more confident about my financial situation, and able to set obtainable goals for myself. I am actually proud of the person I'm becoming." - Pete
Help without Judgement
"Margy and staff, Thank you so much for the guidance provided and for the food shared. You all made a very uncomfortable moment for me turn into a positive experience. It is always a blessing to have caring folks on the other side of the counter, not shaming me. God's blessings to you all and to Duluth Co-Op for being such a gift to those in need." - Eileen
Bringing Holiday Cheer
"One of the wonderful things they share during the holidays are toys for those in need. Even though I didn’t need help with paying the bills or food this year, I did need a helping hand with Christmas for our little ones. May God continue to bless them.” - Destiny