EAST DUBLIN, Ga. — In Laurens County, one church wants to be part of the solution to the county's growing homelessness problem.
House of Refuge Ministries International said their members have been helping the homeless for over 20 years.
Bernice Nelson is an elder at the church.
"I started helping the homeless years ago. I've always loved helping people," Nelson said.
Her church used to have a closet that had clothes, shoes and other products to give to the homeless. This year, they expanded that closet by opening Thor Thrift and More Store.
They donate items in the store to the homeless. But they also use funds from sales at the thrift store and reinvest it in helping the homeless.
Nelson says the homeless population in Laurens County is growing.
"It has grown tremendously. The need is great here in Dublin, and I'm not by myself. There are other agencies, other people that's seeing the need, and they're wanting to help," Nelson said.
She said other non-profits and churches across the county have stepped up to help. She hopes they can work together and one day open up a homeless shelter.
"And I don't know how we can, except putting it out there and expressing the needs that we do need one here," Nelson said.
In 2022, the annual Point In Time count found Laurens County had 29 homeless people. In 2015, the count said there were 21.
Almost every day, Nelson said they see a couple of different people knock on their door, asking for help with food, clothes or a place to stay. She says they sometimes temporarily put those people into hotels.
"We're giving them enough for a night stay, enough for a two-night stay," Nelson said.
Senior Pastor Dorothy Simmons lives in East Dublin. She said some people think it is the only place in the county with homeless.
"Here in Laurens County, a lot of people don't think that we have a homeless problem, but we do," Simmons said.
She said their ministry offers more than just clothes and food to homeless people. It helps people get on their feet in hopes of bringing the number of homeless people in Laurens County down.
"To get back on a path where they could feel good about themselves, and that they can contribute back into the community," Simmons said.
Thor Thrift and More has partners like the Manasseh Outreach Center that consign to them. They are open on Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they're located at 149 Central Drive.
13WMAZ reached out to county and city leaders about resources available for the homeless.
Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight sent us this statement:
"Dublin is blessed to have a proactive and caring community full of non-profits and churches to assist those going through tough times related to being homeless. As a city, we commend our non-profits and churches as they fulfill their calling to help those in need. The city will continue to facilitate the connections between the resources available and those considered, “homeless” within our community.”