Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern Amelia Payne
Meet Andrew Bearden! Andrew is the founder of Bridge the City; a local community outreach helping local people affected by homelessness.
“The goals of Bridge the City is to meet the needs through compassion awareness. Whether that’s someone who has a Saturday free, clothes, donations, or just wants to hear a story of someone living in poverty in our city. It’s not always about a giant project it can just be about just sharing a meal with someone and hearing their story. You can reach out to us through social media to find out how you can get involved,” Andrew said. 
We want to thank Andrew for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or lead you to your current career?
Answer: “I started Bridge the City in 2015. I have a background in doing outreach community service. Specifically working with the homeless. I saw there was a big need and a lot of people were working independently and falling through the cracks. I had the dream to start this non-profit where we all worked together and collaborated to get those who have things to those who are in need.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “You can never go wrong with a chicken biscuit from Longstreet.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I have lived here for 25 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “Mr. Gene Beckstein. The founder of Good News at Noon.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would go to Spain because that’s somewhere my wife wants to travel.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: “‘Poverty Inc.’ is my favorite movie. It talks about global poverty and the relief efforts  throughout the world.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Serving others actually does your soul good.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To see no more poverty in Gainesville.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I would love to see Johnny Cash.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Bumpers and Bogeys.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where is Hall County would you have lunch?
A: “The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. I would go somewhere quiet so we wouldn’t be interrupted.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “My favorite thing is that it is a hub for Northeast Georgia. People from different counties, regions, areas throughout this part of the state come to Gainesville for jobs, commerce, trade, and it’s really just a melting pot where you see people from different backgrounds and economic statuses all together in one area.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I hope to see myself still in Gainesville continuing my efforts with Bridge the City and see more collaboration to help those in need.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I taught myself how to play guitar in high school.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “People loving people.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.