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Local nonprofit provides free clothing, food, and essentials to students and families during the bitter cold
ATLANTA — As dangerously cold temperatures settle across the city this weekend, the nonprofit Love Beyond Walls is stepping in with critical support for families in need.
One of its community resource rooms, Zion’s Closet, is located inside Finch Elementary School in southwest Atlanta, offering a powerful example of how community care can make a life-changing difference.
Zion’s Closet provides families with essential items, including clothing, food, hygiene products, and baby supplies, free of charge.
While founder Terence Lester always knew the need was there, the scale of demand has exceeded expectations.
“We’re living in a time right now where need is outpacing generosity,” Lester said.
Terra Lamar, who manages Zion’s Closet at Finch Elementary, sees the need firsthand every day.
“Especially with the cold, I’ve had students come with no jackets, no hat, no gloves. With this brutal cold, they need stuff, so I get them, bring them down here, and get them the things they need,” Lamar said.
Beyond clothing, the resource room also offers food, formula, hygiene products, and even access to a washer and dryer.
Volunteers have been working to restock shelves after supplies ran out quickly.
Lamar says recent challenges have only increased the need.
“Especially with the government shutdown, I’ve had families come in more frequently because they’re struggling getting their services back. The food here helps bridge the gap where they can’t,” she explained.
For some students, it affects their ability to learn. “It’s a struggle to show up in class and be asked to pay attention when you have on shorts, and it’s winter or your stomach is growling,” Lester said.
Finch Elementary, slated for closure by Atlanta Public Schools, hopes the Zion’s Closet resource center will continue to serve families even after the school moves to a new building.
Hopefully, this resource center will travel with us into the new building. So our parents will be able to walk or travel by car to get the resources that they need,” said Tara Spencer, principal of Finch Elementary.
Looking ahead, Love Beyond Walls plans to expand its reach.
Zion’s Closet will open its fourth location in March at A. Philip Randolph Elementary in Fulton County. Five additional schools are currently on the waitlist.
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