AMERIGROUP Foundation Honors Warehouse of Hope Founder Craig Parson as a 'Hea...( ATLANTA Aug. 3 2009 /- The AMER...),Health

ATLANTA, Aug. 3, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The AMERIGROUP Foundation today announced it is honoring Craig Parson, the founder of Warehouse of Hope in Douglasville, Ga., by designating him a "Healthy Hero."

In 1995, as the 36-year-old Parson was recovering from a massive heart attack, he decided to change his life and start helping others. What began as hand-delivering a few local families a couple of bags of groceries has blossomed into a massive operation that helps hungry and needy families all across Georgia.

Parson's leadership enables Warehouse of Hope to help more than 1,350 families per week and more than 30,000 people a month.

"Regularly providing aid when people need it most requires dedication, sacrifice and commitment," said John E. Littel, Chairman of the AMERIGROUP Foundation. "Craig Parson and the Warehouse of Hope offer a tremendous example of such selflessness. The AMERIGROUP Foundation is pleased to recognize and actively support such contributions to our communities."

Parson says that with more than 1.2 million Georgians living below the poverty line, there is plenty more work to be done.

"I've been doing this now for 14 years, but this is actually the first year that people are calling me and saying they don't have a can of food, a box of food or anything in their homes," Parson said earlier this year. "Our biggest challenge is acquiring enough supply to meet the tremendous demand for assistance."

Filling 7,000 grocery bags with food each month, in addition to providing 350 families with supplemental clothing and supplies, can take a toll. Parson and his mostly volunteer staff look no further than their daily affirmations for inspiration to continue.

"There are many stories that stand out," Parson said. "A mom relieved that her family will be provided for, a child's eyes that light up because he is
'/>"/>