St. Thomas Aquinas Church has been selected as “Church Partner of the Year” by North Fulton Community Charities at the group’s annual meeting. NFCC is a grass-roots organization offering emergency assistance to families and individuals who live in the North Fulton area.

St. Thomas Aquinas outpaced all of the 69 churches and synagogues that partner with NFCC in financial contributions and regularly offers volunteers and in-kind support throughout the year.

Formed through the faith community in 1983, NFCC depends on donations of time and resources to operate a food pantry and thrift shop, as well as to maintain an emergency assistance fund to help people in financial crisis with rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, transportation and daycare supplements. In 2004, NFCC assisted 4,451 families; each day 80 to 100 families are seen.

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita left the Gulf Coast area in shambles, many families evacuated to the North Fulton region. To date, NFCC has offered hope to over 250 families by giving them food, clothing, household goods, furniture, rent support and counsel. Many of these families are resettling in Roswell and Alpharetta. NFCC is the “first line of defense” as they begin this next chapter of their lives.

The St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners jumped to the task of answering phones, bagging groceries, assisting families as they selected clothing and furniture for new apartments and offering a warm shoulder as they struggled with new challenges.

The parish also has maintained an active presence on NFCC’s board of directors and staff, allowing for connecting neighbors, matching parishioners with volunteer opportunities and serving the community of those in need.