DUBLIN, Ga. — In Laurens County, a children's non-profit says their need for donations has gone through the roof in July.
"We have doubled just this month alone the number of children we have served. We see a greater need now, and also we're getting more well-known in the community," Kid's Cup Founder Janice Nazerian said.
Kid's Cup is a faith-based resource closet serving children in foster care, and low-income families. It was created in 2021, and Nazerian said this July is the busiest they've ever been.
They've helped serve over 2,500 children in over 45 counties. One of their families is the Ikner's.
"We were able to get seven to ten outfits per child which was a great starter pack. Blankets, pillows, toothpaste," Amy Ikner said.
Amy and Jeremy Ikner are fostering two toddlers right now. Jeremy Ikner is a lead pastor at Oakdale Church, and said they felt God calling them foster children.
"They're actually a sibling group of five, and we've had four of those kids in our home, so Kid's Cup was phenomenal in helping us to kind of get them through our house and situated," Jeremy Ikner said.
Kid's Cup gives families private time slots to shop for items, at no cost to the parents.
"They had the opportunity to pick out outfits and at three and two, they were really excited to be a part of this. So, it was awesome to have them come through here and do that. But it made it really easy for us, the transition for us, as opposed to going to a bigger store," Jeremy Ikner said.
Stephanie Stubbs knows just how important this free resource is. She's the McKinney–Vento Act and student transitions coordinator for Dublin City Schools. She manages the student homeless populations- and refers families to Kid's Cup for help.
"Since I've been doing the work, I've seen a steady increase every year. And most people think of homelessness in one aspect," Stubbs said.
She said they have about 400 students who qualify as homeless in their district of over 2,200 students. For some, homelessness could mean someone's sleeping in a hotel, in a car, or doubled up at another family's home.
"We just want to make sure that we eliminate every other barrier. Even though housing or stability at home might be an issue. We don't want school to be an issue," Stubbs said.
That's where Kid's Cup comes in. Volunteer Edwina Terman says it's such a blessing to some families.
"Some of them are so overwhelmed with the kindness, with being able to get such nice things for their children for free. And they can come back every six months, so you know, we'll say, we'll see ya in the wintertime," Terman said.
Kid's Cup is a ministry non-profit and completely donation-ran. They have a big need right now for clothes, toys, and other children's items that are new, or like new. They don't accept shoes.
They have a donation bin on their property at 2111 Claxton Dairy Road where people can drop off items whenever.
For larger donations, you can call ahead to meet someone at the property. They also have a link to make donations on their website.
They're also accepting volunteers to help them with day-to-day operations. They have an annual fundraiser coming up in October, Wheels and Wings, to supports the non-profit.