For Georgia Realtor Jessica Ellis, being rooted in a community means more than just selling homes. It means helping put food on tables, supporting cancer patients and connecting people with resources when they need them.
Ellis, a Realtor with EXIT Grassroots Realty in Powder Springs, was recently selected as a Region 5 Rooted in Georgia Ambassador. Rooted in Georgia is a project of Georgia REALTORS (aka the Georgia Association of Realtors).
According to Georgia REALTORS, “These ambassadors exemplify what it means to be deeply rooted in the neighborhoods, towns and cities they serve.”
“Through their volunteerism, civic engagement and dedication to helping others, each honoree has helped strengthen communities across Georgia.”
For about three years, Ellis has volunteered with the Chosen Vessels of God Ministry food pantry in Dallas. She said the pantry serves an estimated 150 to 200 families each Saturday.
“We have it set up like a grocery store,” she said, “And we give them carts and they pull their carts through just like they were going shopping.”
This approach is intended to give people greater choice and preserve their dignity.
“We don’t just put a big box in their back of their car,” Ellis said.
According to Ellis, the pantry operates from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays and relies on the church and donations rather than government funding. She said the need extends well beyond that one-hour window, with calls sometimes coming on other days from people who have little or no food at home.
Ellis also volunteers with Loving Arms Cancer Outreach in Paulding County, where she helps clients in the organization’s wig department.
“I work in the WIG department, which mind you, I’ve never put on a wig before volunteering here, but it’s been such a joy in my life,” she said.
Loving Arms provides services including wigs and compression garments as well as assistance with expenses such as gasoline, prescriptions and utilities, Ellis said.
Her work with both organizations has also allowed her to connect people with different kinds of assistance. When someone receiving cancer support is also struggling to afford groceries, Ellis can point that person toward the food pantry. The assistance can allow a family to use limited money for other necessities, including transportation and prescriptions.
Ellis’ professional work covers much of northwest Georgia, with a focus on Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. She particularly enjoys working with first-time homebuyers and said she has spent as long as two years helping clients prepare to purchase a home.
That career, she said, also provides flexibility to devote time to community service.
Her selection as a Rooted in Georgia Ambassador puts a title on work that was already underway. Ellis had been volunteering at the food pantry for years before becoming an ambassador, and her involvement with Loving Arms has given her another avenue for helping neighbors facing difficult circumstances.
Her message for people considering volunteering is straightforward: helping does not necessarily require money. Organizations already receiving donated food, clothing or other supplies still need people willing to give their time.
“I don’t buy all the food for the food pantry,” Ellis said. “I don’t buy the wigs for the wigs.”
“I show up and I give my time,” she said. “And all these donations, all of our donations from Loving Arms come from beauty supply, surplus stores that are getting rid of it.”
“And you just got to show up to be the one that gives it out,” said Ellis. “And so that’s what I would want to say is get out there in your community and start serving.”
To read more about community volunteer work in the Cobb County Courier, follow this link.