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Our History

On July 29, 1982 a group of concerned citizens from the North Fulton area met with Mary Drake, a Director with Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc. (EOA). This organization was formed by President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. It was Mary's charge to secure in-kind donations from the community to supplement funding from federal, state, and county governments. During this time, the growing need was recognized within the community north of the river. Mary knew that the public funding would be limited and invited representatives of local churches to discuss ways to assist the EOA. David Sonenberg, a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church, introduced the idea of a program and with Mary's assistance outlined the need for a food pantry and a place that would assist with short term emergency assistance. A special account was opened, under the direction of Mary Drake and Frances McGahee, which was called North Fulton Community Charities. NFCC incorporated in 1983 and gained 501c3 recognition in 1988.

Working closely with local churches, synagogues, business and civic groups, NFCC developed into the primary source of emergency assistance in Roswell and Alpharetta. In 1990, the Board of Directors hired Barbara Duffy, an active leader within the community, as Executive Director and opened a small office in the North Fulton Human Service Center at 89 Grove Way, Roswell. As demand for service grew, NFCC expanded several times into additional space in the North Fulton Human Service Center. By 2004 the NFCC Center was stretched to the limit of available space and the Board voted to identify and relocate to a facility large enough for the current and future needs of NFCC. After an extensive search, NFCC purchased a 20,000 square foot free-standing building on Elkins Road in Roswell. Following renovations, NFCC opened in the new location in August 2005. A successful $3,000,000 Capital Campaign was closed in October 2006 to underwrite the new operating expenses and acquisition of the building.

Today, NFCC is the leading organization offering help for residents of North Fulton with short term emergency needs. Some of the early board members and volunteers are still active, and new volunteers are welcomed every day. In 2008, NFCC celebrates 25 years of “People Helping People to Help Themselves.”