Bridging the Gap

About Us

How We Make a Difference

BTG Community Outreach began in 2009 as a grassroots effort to serve the homeless with food and support, and soon grew into a nonprofit expanding from a small storehouse to a larger facility. Over the years, BTG has evolved beyond food distribution—providing guidance, referrals, and essential services to help individuals work toward stability. Today, BTG remains committed to providing essentials, fostering hope, and building stronger communities.

  • Feed

    Providing nutritious food to individuals and families so no one in our community goes hungry.

  • Serve

    Meeting practical needs with compassion through clothing, hygiene items, household goods, and more.

  • Restore

    Walking alongside people with support and resources to help them rebuild stability and hope.

Our Mission

FEED. SERVE. RESTORE

At Bridging the Gap, our mission is simple — to feed, serve, and restore. We provide food and essential resources to families in need, meet people with compassion in their hardest moments, and walk alongside them as they work toward stability and hope.

Feed

Through our weekly food distribution and special initiatives like Summer Lunch, we provide nutritious meals and groceries so families never have to worry about going hungry.

Serve

We meet practical needs with care by offering clothing, hygiene products, household essentials, and seasonal programs such as Christmas in Coweta.

Restore

Beyond immediate relief, we walk with families with guidance, referrals, and support services that help them rebuild stability and find long-term solutions.

Our Staff

Meet The Team

Get to know the people behind Bridging the Gap who work every day to serve our community with compassion.

Executives

Jamar Joiner

Executive Director

Grace Rodriguez

Deputy Director

Office Staff

Jennifer Leebern

Client Services Manager

Tonya Graham

Community Engagement Manager

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Jennifer Hooper

Christmas in Coweta Coord.

Melinda Ocampo

Marketing Operations Coord,

Warehouse Staff

Sharie Gill

Warehouse Manager

Anne Finley

Warehouse Assistant Manager

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Larry Currin

Truck Driver

Jamal Lidsey

Warehouse Associate

Stacie Benefield

Home Delivery Coordinator

Lead Volunteers

Terri Currin

Warehouse Lead

Tricia Leodler

Saturday Registration

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Cresandra Anderson

Warehouse Lead

Michelle Outlaw

Wednessday Registration

Debbie Allen-Boyd

Saturday Distribution Lead

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Sherry Love

Saturday Distribution Lead

Brandi Buck

Warehouse Lead

The History if Bridging the Gap Inc

BTG Community Outreach began in 2009 as a grassroots effort led by a single woman, Alison Wallace, who took it upon herself to serve the homeless by distributing food from the back of her van. With a strong sense of community and compassion, she aimed to address both immediate needs and help individuals find long-term solutions. By 2011, BTG had grown significantly and became an official nonprofit organization,

The organization’s first building was located on Lee Street, where it continued to serve not only the homeless but also families in need. This location functioned as a “storehouse,” where community members could access food and other essentials. However, due to the rapid increase in demand, BTG soon outgrew this space and relocated to its current location.

From its early days, BTG Community Outreach has been about more than just providing food. The organization focuses on opening conversations with individuals and families, offering support and guidance to help them achieve better living situations. The hiring of Craig Buchanan & Jeremiah Butler in 2016 marked a significant milestone, as it formalized the organization’s client services department, allowing BTG to offer more structured and comprehensive assistance.

In 2017, the original director left the organization. John Melia stepped in and served as interim director for eight months before Kelli Yeager-Nelson was hired in June of 2019. Under Kelli’s leadership, BTG continued to expand its outreach, furthering its mission to serve the community with both care and practical solutions.

In October 2024, Jamar Joiner became the Executive Director, bringing a fresh vision and leadership to BTG Community Outreach as it continues to grow and serve more individuals and families in need.

BTG remains committed to providing essential resources and fostering hope, staying true to its mission of building stronger, more resilient communities.