Sunday, September 14, 2008 | News, Sports, A+E, Food, Life, In this Issue..., Style, Nightlife
The SP 100

Presenting the fourth annual SP 100: The Sunday Paper staff’s thoroughly researched, hotly debated and extremely opinionated list of Atlanta’s finest entertainers, restaurants, philanthropists, nightspots and more.

Spark St. Jude
Bill Bolling, founder of Atlanta Community Food Bank


Furniture Bank


Nemanja Glumac
Atlanta Pet Rescue & Adoption helps adorable puppies like this one find safe and happy homes.


Courtesy of Youth Pride
Youth Pride

YOUTH PRIDE

WHY: Growing up is tough enough already. Add being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning to the mix, and you’re at risk for all sorts of problems: bullying, suicide, depression, eating disorders and strains on academic success. Youth Pride offers a safe, supportive environment where our city’s GLBT youth can confidently be themselves, while participating in group discussions, interactive programs and community involvement.
WHERE: 1017 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta. 404-521-9713. www.youthpride.org.

ATLANTA PET RESCUE & ADOPTION

WHY: Atlanta’s puppies and kitties are too cute and completely dependent on humans for us not to do the right thing. That’s where Atlanta Pet Rescue comes in. Through a myriad of outreach programs such as adoption drives, foster care and fundraisers, this no-kill animal shelter helps previously homeless, abused and/or neglected dogs and cats find safe and happy homes. Its annual Paws for Cocktails event is a great time to donate funds, or check out the pet personal ads online.
WHERE: 720 14th St., Atlanta. 404-643-2332. www.atlantapetrescue.org.

THE FURNITURE BANK OF METRO ATLANTA

WHY: Because nobody likes sleeping on the floor. The Furniture Bank is a 20-year-old nonprofit organization that assists homeless people who have secured permanent housing. Before the Furniture Bank, many of these individuals and families had no furniture, and were forced to sleep and eat—you guessed it—on the floor. Through generous donations of furniture and funds, the program guarantees every family member a bed, as well as other useful items, such as dressers, lamps, tables and bookshelves.
WHERE: 538 Permalume Place, Atlanta. 404-355-8530. www.furniturebankatlanta.org.

AID ATLANTA

WHY: Each fall, AID Atlanta gives us the chance to stand up and support our community, just by putting on a pair of running shoes. But this charitable organization’s efforts don’t just end with its annual AIDS Walk; it works tirelessly year-round to educate the community about at-risk activities and to help Georgians with HIV/AIDS to live productive lives, and provides testing, counseling and other services.
WHERE: www.aidatlanta.org.

CARE 

WHY: Because children are starving all over the world, and this Atlanta-based organization works with impoverished mothers to help them lead their families to a better life. It’s nice to know your neighbors are fighting for change.
WHERE: www.care.org.

ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

WHY: More than 1 million Georgians each year struggle to make ends meet, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank works with a network of nonprofit agencies to help those individuals and families.  But that’s not all the ACFB does. Through its Community Gardens project, it works to plant community gardens around the metro area for public use. Not only do neighbors get to rub elbows in the dirt—they get to take pride in providing food for not just their families, but the entire community. That means even more kids around Atlanta are eating their vegetables.
WHERE: www.acbf.org.