TLC’s Hearts of Compassion Helping Hands Ministry (HoCHHM) is growing quickly as the need to minister to the homeless of Savannah is everincreasing. This ministry falls under the Evangelism Board under the direction of Greg Lucas. The Hearts of Compassion Coordinator is Mary Farber and the Community Liaison is Ron Wolfe.

In Georgia, a person is considered homeless if they do not have access to traditional or permanent housing that is safe, sanitary and affordable. Chatham County has the 2nd highest rate of homelessness in Georgia. Current statistics put the number of homeless at 4,600, half being women and children. There are over 800 homeless students in the Savannah Chatham Public School System.

Our HoCHHM provides free clothing and household items through our “Closet” located in the back room in the Education Building. Hours of operation have not been established yet as we are seeking more volunteers. The room, however, is a continual flow of items in and items out through our connections with city organizations, such as Baby Steps Ministry, Blessingdales, Called to Love, Department of Family and Children’s Services, and others. Donations should be clean and stain free. Items currently needed: Men’s clothing.

Ronnie and Jennifer Wolfe are the heart and soul of our ministry to the homeless. And we can’t forget Ryan Smith who is the number one helper. They get phone calls day and night from the people they meet who need items to survive. These include tents, food, clothes, shoes, toiletries and much more.

The Board of Social Ministry’s Hot Meals for the Homeless program provides hot meals every Monday and Friday to the homeless we serve. Ronnie, Jennifer and Ryan deliver the meals. Here are just a few of the people we serve meals to every week. (Most names not included – nicknames only).

First there are the Kids. They are a young couple who hang out with their two dogs. He is quite fond of Jennifer’s chili. The Mall Rats include a group of six or seven men and women and they like to hang out in the Mall area during the day to stay out of the weather. The Car Wash Guys are two men who live between the car wash and the bank. They don’t stray too far from the shade of the trees. They love every meal we take to them. Little Man, Sock Guy, and the New Guy who might become the Crazy Cat Dude since he has a bunch of stray cats he takes care of. The Gas Station Guys and Lady. They are a little older than most of the homeless and tend to sit in the shade under the trees.

Some of you have met Brook. She has come to church a few times and likes to park her shopping cart in the parking lot visitor spot. Lily, who needed a tent. Ken and his wife who needed clothes and toiletries. And last but not least, Mike and Judy who are kind of like everyone’s parents and look out for them all. Every week there are a few new faces. Every week a few faces are not to be found.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the Homeless Ministry please see Greg, Mary or Ronnie. If you would like to help with the meals, please see Sharon Grefski.