Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Georgia Inc., which has matched children to mentors in more than 40 south Georgia counties, has announced that it will close.

Board President James Nixon said in a statement that the agency has been unable to meet financial commitment to providing ongoing volunteer recruiting, careful matching of mentors and mentoring support.

The group said it began the process of closing this week, but would stay open long enough to inform parents of children in the program and their mentors of the decision.

Nixon expressed appreciation to people who have supported their work "to help children in south Georgia facing adversity beat the odds for the past 32 years."

Tags: Georgia, South Georgia, Tifton, non-profit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Georgia Inc., charity, volunteers