The thrift store covers overhead and operations. Donations come in from individuals and galas, but sometimes the funds get low.

That’s why North Fulton Community Charities has named February Have a Heart for North Fulton Community Charities Month with a campaign to raise $200,000.

“This whole campaign is about enlisting the community to get involved,” said Mary Good, event chair for the campaign.

Good said last year’s March gala was successful but the charity had to go back to donors in May to raise another $100,000 because the coffers had run dry.

“You get donor fatigue with that,” she said. “Part of this campaign is to eliminate donor fatigue.”

The campaign is versatile and uses several different methods to raise the funds. Good said people are hosting private parties — such as Superbowl, Valentines Day and anniversary parties — where they will ask guests to bring a donation for the charity.

North Fulton Community Charities is also planning some public parties, including a Coupon Expo Feb. 25 with Stephanie Nelson where, with a $10 donation, participants can learn the art of couponing with the Strategic Shopping System.

Vonda Malbrough, development director at the nonprofit, said they see 114 families on average each day and give out nine tons of food each week. She said she wanted to aim high with the February campaign to help the community.

“Go big or go home. Why would we not?” she said. “We see a lot of families and there’s a lot of need.”

Malbrough and Good said “the face of the need is changing,” and the charity is seeing more senior citizens and middle class families who have hit hard times.

“Homelessness looks like me,” Malbrough said. “It looks like your next-door neighbor.”

Good has reached out to the local cities, schools and businesses as well as individuals to raise awareness for the campaign.

“If people can do little things, our goal is achievable,” she said. “We just need the involvement of our entire community to make this successful.”

The community can watch the progress of the campaign at www.heartfornfcc.org. The heart on the website’s front page will be a monitor to reflect how close fundraisers are to the $200,000 goal.