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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