ATLANTA -
A local organization offered some much needed help to thousands of out of work people on Monday. For the second year in a row, Hosea Feed the Hungry's Labor of Love event offered both food and job skills to those in need.
In addition to providing 3,000 meals, the group partnered with the state Department of Labor and Convoy of Hope in order to help those unemployed find work.
"It's all good ," said unemployed Sheila Spain. "Anything to help the public right now. The economy is ugly. It's crazy."
Spain said that she's struggling to pay utility bills in the grim job climate.
"I've sent out resumes, I went on job interviews. You name it, I've done it and I haven't got anything," said Spain.
Job counselors were on hand to offer tips for job seekers on everything from resumes to interviews, and help on how to fill out job applications.
Those that turned out at the Lakewood Amphitheater on Monday received food, job readiness, interviewing skills as well as resume critiquing.
"They're coming out to find out what things they can do better or the things they're been doing wrong. We're helping them with tips on how to make sure that resume is correct, on how to present themselves as it relates to the interviews," said Janice Black of the Ga. Department of Labor.
Hosea organizers say the idea is to help people both in the short and long term.
"Now, we said, Ok, let's combine food with the opportunity for jobs, because the two of them is a perfect match," said Afemo Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry. "So we reached out to our partners, Convoy of Hope and the Georgia Department of Labor. They said, 'You know what, that's an excellent idea. We want to support you 100 percent.'"
The charity wanted to make the job advice a key part of this event in hopes that some of the faces find themselves in good, productive jobs and don't have to return next year.
"If you don't have the skills, then when going to get a job, you're at a disadvantage. But we have vendors here, offering jobs as well," said Olmilami.
Employment remains stubborn in Georgia, with the state rate at 9.3 percent. That figure is well above the national average of 8.3 percent. Last week, a Georgia state forecaster said the country's unemployment rate will likely stay above 8 percent until the middle of 2014, due to uncertainty in Washington.
Hosea plans to feed about 10,000 people in 2013.
