The Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, which serves the health care needs of 14,000 uninsured and underinsured residents in Pickens, Cherokee and Dawson counties, will receive a $50,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente of Georgia.

Kaiser Permanente’s donation to the Jasper-based center is part of a total of $1.6 million in grants to 24 safety net clinics in metro Atlanta.

Together, these organizations expect to provide primary, preventive, prenatal and medical care to more than 33,100 patients, including those with chronic diseases.

“As a non-profit, tax exempt organization, it is our mission and an important part of Kaiser Permanente’s mission to improve the health of the communities we serve, in addition to providing our members a high quality, affordable health care experience,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia.

“Our community benefit program helps fulfill this obligation and assists those who need it most in metro Atlanta,” he added.

Overall in 2009, Kaiser Permanente provided more than $21 million in community benefit funding to improve access to health care and coverage for low income populations, support safety net clinics, award scholarships to health professionals, sustain an educational theater program, and give grants that promote healthy eating and active living.