The local Tallatoona Community Action Partnership is focused on assisting those who need help in many areas of day-to-day life, but putting people on the path to self-sufficiency is paramount, according to its service coordinator, Shelia Callaway.

The agency provides many services to assist the community, but helping people secure employment is the most important one, she said.

“Whether it’s the Food Pantry or glasses for the Lions Club or helping them with something else, employment is on the top of our list,” she explained.

Callaway told members of the Calhoun Kiwanis Club recently that Tallatoona’s efforts to help people find jobs will continue.

“Years ago, we focused on employment really heavy,” she said. “We have started back. You can’t become self sufficient without a job. We do work with a lot of HR (human resources) people and temp services, and I work closely with the Department of Labor.”

Another service Tallatoona offers is an emergency food pantry for hungry families in need.

“When a family comes in we try and give them a food voucher to go with it,” Callaway said. “We are doing maybe 10 to 15 a month. We are trying to do the bread, milk and egg vouchers for the ones with children because if they are coming to us for food then they aren’t doing food stamps.”

In the cold months, Tallatoona provides services to low-income elderly, families and individuals through a heating assistance program. Beginning Nov. 1, elderly individuals, age 65 and up, needing help can apply. This gives the elderly an opportunity to come in before the general public, Callaway explained. Then, starting on Dec. 1, the heating assistance program will be open to all ages.

“We really need to reach a whole lot more (seniors) than we have been reaching,” Callaway said. “We usually reach about 800 seniors or senior families, and we sure would like to see more.”

There are 6,500 more elderly seniors, 65 and older, living in Gordon County, she said.

According to the Tallatoona website www.tallatoonacap.org:

Tallatoona assists “low-income individuals and families acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve economic self-sufficiency.”

“Tallatoona CAP, Inc. is a non-profit agency that serves approximately 637 children in the northwest Georgia area. Resource centers are located in Bartow, Floyd, Haralson, Paulding and Polk County. The program also provides a Head Start pre-K services, as well as nutrition, job and other services for those in need. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Tallatoona is located at 194 Newton Road in Calhoun. For additional information, e-mail questions to gordonhrdc@tallatoonacap.org or call 706-629-2333.