HomeAid Georgia’s 25th Annual Essentials Drive Distributes More Than 509,000 Essential Items  

Written By Melissa Lowry

Providing baby diapers, wipes, and more to families in need across Georgia 

ATLANTA, GA (May 19, 2026) – HomeAid Georgia celebrated a major milestone through its 25th Annual Essentials Drive, distributing more than 509,000 essential items to families with young children experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the state of Georgia. 

For the first time in the drive’s history, 27 Essentials Teams came together to raise funds that allowed HomeAid Georgia to purchase baby diapers, pull-ups, wipes, adult underwear, and feminine hygiene products at wholesale pricing — stretching every dollar even further. Through the generosity of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, HomeAid Georgia doubled its distribution, marking its most successful drive to date.  

On May 8, HomeAid Georgia’s parking lot transformed into a hub of hope, service, and community as volunteers helped load boxes into the vehicles of 41 nonprofit organization’s serving families across Georgia right in time for Mother’s Day. Resources are already reaching communities in Albany, Augusta, and beyond. The Athens Area Home Builders Association is still raising funds through June to distribute even more resources for those in need. 

“The volunteers were absolutely amazing! Their kindness and efficiency made the entire experience feel like a true hand-up, not a handout,” said Cassenda Nelson of I&A DIVYNE PURPOSE INC. “The support and dignity shown meant so much. Southwest Georgia will be incredibly appreciative of these resources, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve our community with your help.” 

2026 Essentials Teams 

  • McLain & Merritt Attorneys 

  • Meritage Homes 

  • Northstar Mortgage Advisors 

  • Northview Church 

  • Northwest Exterminating 

  • O'Dwyer Homes 

  • Pinnacle Financial Partners 

  • Precision Stoneworks 

  • SouthState Bank 

  • Stuart Pro Heating & Air 

  • Sutter, McLellan & Gilbreath 

  • Taylor Morrison 

  • Timberlake Cabinetry 

  • Affinity Bank 

  • AJ Madison 

  • Ameris Bank 

  • Ashton Woods & Starlight Homes 

  • Augusta HBA  

  • Big10 Alumni of Atlanta 

  • Brightwater Homes 

  • Carter Lumber 

  • CBRE 

  • David Weekley Homes 

  • Denim Marketing 

  • D.R. Horton 

  • Juneau Construction Company 

  • Kind Lending 

2026 Essentials Drive Sponsors

  • Refreshment Station Sponsor: Lennar 

  • Lunch Sponsor: Northwest Exterminating 

  • Presenting Sponsor: Precision Stoneworks 

  • Forklift Sponsor: North Georgia Brick 


2026 Essentials Recipients

  • Ministries of Grace 

  • Motherhood Beyond Bars 

  • NFCC 

  • Nicholas House 

  • Our House, Inc. 

  • Project U First, Inc. 

  • Recovery Warriorz 

  • Restoring Healthy Families 

  • Restoring One’s Hope of Atlanta, Inc. 

  • Riverside Community Baptist Church 

  • Serenade Heights 

  • Solomon's Temple Foundation, Inc. 

  • Taliaferro County Family Connection, Inc 

  • The Baby Pantry, Inc 

  • The Big Educators Academy Inc 

  • The Drake House 

  • The Salvation Army 

  • The Salvation Army Red Shield Services 

  • Wellroot Family Services 

  • Whispering Hope Women's Resource & Pregnancy Center 

  • 4Sarah, Inc 

  • Atlanta Children's Day Shelter 

  • Atlanta Technical College - Special Populations 

  • Athens Area Diaper Bank 

  • Augusta Dream Center 

  • Blessings Working Together 

  • Breakthru House Inc 

  • Caring Pathways 

  • Circle of Health 

  • Compassionate Atlanta 

  • Connect The Dots 

  • Covenant House Georgia 

  • Dekalb Public Health 

  • Family Connection of Columbia County, Inc. 

  • Gateway Domestic Violence Center 

  • Helping Mamas 

  • HYPE to Empower 

  • I&A Divyne Purpose INC 

  • Inspire Positivity Inc 

  • International Women's House 

  • Jefferson County Community Ships for Youth 

Nearly 13,000 people in Georgia experience homelessness on any given night and almost 37% are women and children. The annual Essentials Drive continues to address one of the most urgent and often overlooked needs facing families experiencing housing instability and financial hardship: access to everyday essentials. Items like diapers and wipes are not covered by government assistance programs, leaving many parents forced to make impossible choices between basic necessities and other household expenses. 

HomeAid Georgia – Formerly HomeAid Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001, with a mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education. For 25 years, HomeAid has partnered with building industry professionals and community organizations to build, renovate, and maintain facilities for nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid has completed over 258 construction projects at locations for victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, veterans and more. To learn more or get involved, visit www.homeaidga.org.         

Hear from some of the 25th Annual Essentials Drive recipients, courtesy of Northwest Exterminating:

Melissa Lowry
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