Local restaurants offer alternatives for holiday meals ► PAGE 11
N ov e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6
Dunwoody Preservation Trust brings Apple Cider Days to life
Dunwoody’s vulnerable population receives help through CARES Act
By ADAM DARBY adam@appenmediagroup.com
By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Preservation Trust held their annual Apple Cider Days event Nov. 14 at the Donaldson-Bannister Farm located on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. The fall family event was spread across the 3-acre property with a variety of activities for all ages. Families enjoyed a petting zoo, seasonal arts and crafts, an apple scavenger hunt, and vintage tools and home goods displays. Event sponsors set up colorful booths with games and prizes for all participants while Chick-fil-A, King of Pops, and Moondog Growlers provided food and beverages for purchase. Volunteers and sponsors displayed their own scarecrows across the property entrance for a competition that included categories for Scariest Scarecrow and Best in Show. Attendees were given the option to vote for their favorite scarecrows. “Apple Cider Days offers a glimpse of how people lived on a farm years ago along with related activities for kids,” said Suzanne Huff, Dunwoody Preservation Trust executive director and COO. “It’s a great opportunity to come out and enjoy time with your family.” This year marks the fifth time the Trust has hosted the event. What began as a combination of smaller
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Vulnerable Dunwoody residents are getting a helping hand, thanks to a partnership between the city and local charities for distribution of money from the federal CARES Act. Just last month, the Dunwoody City Council approved $400,000 to eight area organizations as part of the city’s Vulnerable Population Program. Each organization is eligible for $50,000 in grant money to assist individuals and families hit hardest by the pandemic economy. Terms of the agreement require that individuals who receive aid prove residency in Dunwoody before receiving direct payments, such as rent or mortgage assistance. Indirect assistance, such as from food banks, does not carry the same requirement. Instead, the organization is required to serve a majority of Dunwoody and DeKalb County residents. Dunwoody Assistant City Manager J. Jay Vinicki said the city appropriated $300,000 from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding and $100,000 from a budget amendment. In addition, on Nov. 10, the City Council approved the Al Fresco matching grant program, a second CARES Act appropriation for $150,000 meant to help restaurants expand outdoor operations. The city is now accepting applications for those grants. The city opened applications for the Vulnerable Population Program for 14
See FESTIVAL, Page 2
PHOTOS BY ADAM DARBY/CRIER
The fall family event was spread across the 3-acre property with a variety of activities for all ages.
days beginning Oct. 1. The eight nonprofits selected become eligible for reimbursements after $10,000 of expenses are incurred. Malachi’s Store House Director Judi Carlson said the funds will help pay for additional commercial freezer space for donations. Each Wednesday, the Store House serves between 250 and 300 families pre-packed food boxes in a drive-thru line. I Care Atlanta will expand freezer capacity and make repairs to a mobile food pantry truck. “Now we can put in a walk-in cooler and a walk-in freezer inside the building. That is going to truly be a blessing,” CEO Anthony Delgado said. The addition will replace 17 refrigerator-freezer units and lower utility costs. Housing and utility support are in high demand. Community Assistance Center CEO Tamara Carerra said most of the money will go to rent aid. “Families desperately need to stay in their homes and that is the priority,” she said. “Nobody can afford to be homeless right now.” Phone calls have increased from low-and-middle-income households, she said. Households have found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Others have consolidated expenses. Corners Outreach is using its allocation to assist their academy located in the Hightower-Kingsley community. “More than 150 families are connect-
See CARES, Page 8