Wednesday, August 22, 2001
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Wednesday, August 22, 2001 |
| Good Samaritan
needed for homeless Fayette Samaritans
By DAVE HAMRICK
Fayette's premiere charitable group helping the homeless is now facing homelessness itself. Fayette Samaritans, an ecumenical, faith-based charitable organization formed in 1991 to alleviate emergency and critical needs of Fayette County residents, has been housed for nine years in the Department of Family and Children Services building, but things have changed and the Samaritans have to move, possibly as soon as Sept. 30. The group is appealing to the community in hopes of finding a new place to provide its services. Samaritans have provided more than $2 million for families in Fayette since it was formed in 1992. In most of those situations, people have been evicted and need some help getting over the rough spot until they can find employment and new homes, said Wanda Jennings, president. Funds come from member churches, the United Way and private donations, but funds received from member churches must, by the organization's charter, be used to directly aid clients. If the Samaritans have to pay rent or a mortgage, they'll have to mount a separate fund-raising drive, said Jennings. Therefore, a no-cost or low-cost situation would be best. The critical need, she said, is to find some space immediately, even if it's only temporary. "Something permanent would be ideal," she said, "but we would consider something temporary, for a year or two while we look for a permanent situation." Having "gotten by" in its current 1,000-sq. ft. space, the group would like to find as much as 5,000 square feet, said Jennings. "It's quite limiting," she said of the current space, "but we could get by with that." What's needed is space for three small offices, room for a food pantry and two clothes closets, and some storage. Some parking is needed, and handicapped accessibility is a must. A central county location in Fayetteville, Peachtree City or somewhere in between would be best, Jennings said. Samaritans maintain a food pantry with donations of non-perishable food items collected by area Boy Scouts, local churches, businesses and other groups and organizations. Approximately half of the assistance given by the Fayette Samaritans has been in food value. Meat and other items have been purchased to supplement the non-perishables. One local grocery store has provided bread, bakery and deli food items for the past seven years. Two local pizza stores have contributed also. Clothes closets for both adults and children have been kept stocked with donated items, and in many instances have provided clothing so that clients' resources can be used for things such as housing and utilities. Because space has been limited, a referral system to two local thrift shops has been used when needed clothing items are not available within the current facility so that clients may go to those shops and get needed items at no cost. Financial assistance also has been provided. Housing and utility assistance has been the greatest need, said Jennings, and in many instances the Samaritans have been able to prevent evictions and utility cut-offs. Medical prescription expenses have become an increasing need by many who have visited the organization for help, and none have been denied that critical aid, she said. Other needs that have been met include child care expenses, automobile repairs, home repairs and even funeral expenses. Occasional help to transients has also been given. During the past year, Fayette Samaritans administered a special energy assistance program funded by United Way to help Fayette County residents with extraordinarily high gas bills. By using the regular interview and verification process, some Fayette County residents who normally would not need help were able to maintain heat during the cold months through this special program. If a facility is not made available quickly, the organization will have no choice but to suspend operations, Jennings said. The burden of providing help would then fall back on individual area churches that have merged resources in support of the Fayette Samaritans program. "This would encumber church staff people and ministries and would decentralize the resources available," said Jennings. Also lost would be the voucher system established with vendors such as utility companies, which has allowed Fayette Samaritans to operate with no money being given directly to clients, she said. Representatives from the organization's Board of Trustees would be pleased to meet with any individual or group to provide information and to develop a solution to this immediate critical need. To help, phone 770-460-2586.
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