The Mercy Senior Care group Grands Who Care is hoping to ensure that families will continue to get help even in tough economic times amid state funding cuts.

The group, which meets twice monthly in Rome and once a month in Summerville, helps non-traditional families in the Chattooga, Floyd and Polk county areas find financial or other aid.

Julia Kimple, caregiver support coordinator at Mercy Senior Care, said the 15 to 20 grandparents also talk about family issues, listen to a speaker and share meals.

Those free meals might be one of the things that gets cut from the program. State funding dried up this summer, but Kimple is hoping the program will be able to continue with the help of donations from the community.

“We’re looking for alternate ways to keep the program going,” she said.

Kimple said the economic crisis has been especially hard on grandparents who have been helping their sons or daughters with their children.

“There are so many grandparents and family members who are having to double up or take on family members that they wouldn’t have otherwise,” she said.

Grands Who Care does more than just provide financial resources and personal support. Kimple said the group also offers free health checks through Mercy Senior Care and holds events for children and grandparents throughout the year.

The last of these events was Breakfast with Santa, which took place with the help of Berry College on Dec. 5. Kimple said 75 grandparents and children were able to enjoy the morning.

Kimple said some of the resources available to non-traditional families in the community include school counselors and social workers, the Salvation Army and Angel Food Ministries.

To help or be helped, contact Kimple at JKimple@sjha.org or 706-291-8496.