In response to the ongoing infant formula shortage in Georgia and across the nation, the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) has awarded the Family Resource Center of Northeast Georgia an Immediate Needs Grant to ensure families have access to baby formula. Georgia Academy of Family Physicians member, Dr. Donald Fordham of Demorest, applied for this funding on their behalf.
The infant formula shortage began last Fall due to supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It was exacerbated in February 2022, when manufacturer Abbott Nutrition recalled powdered formula made in its Michigan plant and temporarily shut down plant operations. These two factors resulted in bare grocery shelves in both urban and rural areas across the state. (see photo)
The $1,000 Immediate Needs Grant from GHFA will allow Family Resource Center of Northeast Georgia to source and purchase hard to find infant formula (including soy) at cost and ensure that families in Northeast Georgia who have the greatest need are able to access it. Many clients of the Center are rural and lack transportation or funds to travel to nearby communities in search of infant formula.
“We have had many desperate calls from families looking for specialized formula,” said Linda Johnson, Executive Director of the Family Resource Center of Northeast Georgia. “Thank you to GHFA for helping us obtain this formula for our local families in need,” she added.
As the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP), GHFA launched the Immediate Needs Grant Program in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address GAFP member-identified urgent health needs in Georgia communities. To learn more about the 50 Immediate Needs Grants GHFA has awarded to date or to make a donation to support future grants, please visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org or email aklima@gafp.org.