WSFX - FOX Wilmington, NCHomeless outreach network gathers support among churches

Homeless outreach network gathers support among churches

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A group of churches in Brunswick County is trying to shed awareness on homelessness by lending some helping hands.

Area locals say homelessness has been ignored for far too long, and now, they're hoping that by opening up churches, that problem can be changed.

Donna Phelps and her husband founded Brunswick Street Reach. Every week, the Phelps, along with a team of volunteers, load up their van with meals, hygiene products and spirituality to give folks some shelter and nourishment.

Donna says that given the sheer size of the county, paired with all of the wooded areas, it can be difficult to recognize the fact that some people simply don't have a place to call home.

Sometimes, the Phelps have to take homeless people to shelters in nearby New Hanover County, NC and Horry County, SC because she said there are no shelters in Brunswick County.

"We have no shelters, half-way houses, or anywhere to send them, and we did not want to see the families fall apart," said Donna.

As a result, Donna decided to open up her office to the homeless, and is turning to churches in the area to do the same.    

Currently, she's aiming to get churches together to open up their fellowship halls for beds for a week at a time. Then, the following week, the homeless would move on to another church to stay.

"We've had a good response in some areas, especially the Southport area, because I feel they're getting targeted more with homelessness than our immediate area," said Donna.

Positive responses are something she said she needs, because her space right now is barely big enough to fit the few beds that are currently in place.

Donna said she currently receives about five phone calls a day from homeless people needing assistance.

Just within the past week, they were able to give about 10 people a place to stay for the night.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.