More than 350 people are expected to rally at the Georgia Capitol on Feb. 11 for the 30th annual Poor People’s Day.

The rally on the steps of the Capitol will culminate two days of activities that include a Feb. 10 Education Day.

The 2010 observance is being held against the backdrop of the continuing unstable economy, unprecedented unemployment and mounting residential foreclosures.

The Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger and the “Up and Out of Poverty Now” Coalition, which organized the event, say this year’s rally will attract one of its largest crowds.

Sandra Robertson, director of Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger, said they will keep the focus on assistance for Georgia’s poor. “All Georgians should know that the economic situation is serious and state governments have funds available to help people if used appropriately,” she said.

The rally’s theme is “Jobs or Income Now.”

The People’s Freedom Caravan will depart at 10 a.m. on Feb. 11 from Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger, 9 Gammon Ave. S.E. in Atlanta. The caravan will proceed through the historic Peoplestown, Pittsburg, Mechanicsville and Summerhill communities to the state Capitol.

The People’s Scroll presentation and rally on the state Capitol steps facing Washington Street will take place at 11:45 a.m. with greetings from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the Working Families Caucus.

Education Day will take place at the Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger. Participants who are experiencing economic distress and loss of economic security will seek solutions on issues like housing foreclosures and homelessness, livable wages, health care coverage, public transportation, expunging criminal records, re-entry programs, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Robertson said there is $165 million in unused TANF funds from the federal government.

“We could lose it because the state is not moving on it. These are funds that could be used to help recipients­­ ­and provide support services to help them find work.”

In preparation for the two-day events, organizers hosted a recent workshop with state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan that offered tips on how to communicate with public officials about the appropriate use of available funds.

For more information, visit www.ga-hungercoa lition.org or call 404-622-7778.