The Test Run That Transformed a Community

Liz Platner starts — and grows — PORCH Marietta

Marietta, Georgia, Founded in February 2022, Donated a total of 137,600 pounds since 2022.  

PORCH Marietta, Georgia, started differently than other chapters across the nation. In 2022, Liz Platner decided to start PORCH with a test run in just her neighborhood, looking to gauge her community’s receptiveness and support.

“Are people around here willing to donate food?” she asked herself. Without knowing this answer, she decided to start small. 

However, fast forward to today, it is a big success. Not only were her neighbors very enthusiastic, but with the usage of social media and word of mouth, PORCH Marietta has now grown to more than 50 neighborhoods and 60 volunteers in just three years.

As the sister-in-law to PORCH Communities founder Christine Cotton, Liz had long admired the organization’s wonderful work. So, looking for an opportunity to make a better impact on her own community, PORCH was the easy answer. 

“I always thought PORCH was a brilliant idea, just so simple, but really impactful at the same time,” Liz said.

Coming together for a shared cause

To Liz, PORCH is so special because, unlike huge organizations, PORCH is an intimate and cohesive group of like-minded individuals that come together for a shared cause. Everyone has an important role, and most importantly, everyone feels the love.

“PORCH is not just the same as writing a check to any other charity,” Liz said. “It is actually hands-on helping people in our very own neighborhoods. You can always write a check to help with any of the disasters that we hear about on the news, but to help people right where you live not only makes you feel good, but also builds your community.”

Supporting community and school pantries across the area

Given how geographically spread out Marietta is, the chapter divides its neighborhoods into three different donation groups. One supports a pantry at Sawyer Road Elementary School, which serves roughly 200 families each month. The pantry also receives monthly food donations from the Atlanta Community Food Bank and volunteers from the YMCA.  

A second group donates to Brumby Elementary School and a local family resource center. The last group donates to several different locations in the western region, including schools and churches. 

Each pantry has its own needs and item requests. For instance, after being approved to partner with Atlanta GLOW (Growing Leadership of Women) in March 2025, the Sawyer Road location now provides free menstrual products to families. They distribute almost 3,000 products a month.

Making a difference for neighbors in the face of budget cuts

“Especially now when budgets for helping anyone are being cut, it’s nice to see that there’s people who are really there still supporting our community,” Liz said. “We used to receive 10,000 pounds of mixed produce and dry goods each week at both elementary schools. The funding cuts mean no produce at school pantries for now, so families must go to multiple pantries to find all they need to feed their kids.”

PORCH Marietta is more than just about volunteering. It’s a place where friends and family come together to make a difference. 

“It’s a lot of people trying to help a little bit,” Liz said. “We’re all here in this together, working towards helping our own community.”