DUBLIN, Ga. — Laurens County Schools said the number of students experiencing homelessness has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, they reported 118 students were experiencing homelessness. Marquita Timmons is the district's homeless liaison and she says the true number may be higher.
"The way that we're governed to identify that is you look for your students who do not have a fixed, adequate, regular nighttime residence," Timmons said.
She said that could mean living in a motel, or in a car, but most of the time it looks like families who are doubled up, living with another family.
Timmons said in the past few years, the amount of students experiencing homelessness has increased by a couple dozen- meaning the district has had to provide even more help.
"Sometimes we're able to help them with that cost for a short period of time, or helping them with rental assistance one time," Timmons said.
The school district provides free school supplies to every student at the beginning of the school year, and they hold resource drives to help families find aid. They also provide transportation to places like medical appointments, for families in need.
But they can't do everything on their own, so they rely on community partnerships, like Hope in Darkness Global Foundation.
"Of course, the schools can't do everything," founder Angela D. Stanley said.
The foundation began almost 10 years ago. It expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help those who are battling depression or suicide. It's since grown to include a Manasseh Outreach Center, which provides clothes, shoes, gifts, and hygiene items to needy families. They also have a stocked emergency food pantry.
"It's like you have a go-to. And when they have a need, they are able to call us to see if we can help meet those needs," Stanley said.
They are open every first and third Saturday, but they also can schedule with families in emergency need, which she said increases during the holiday season.
The foundation says are glad to be a blessing to others by providing more than just necessities. They also provide a sense of dignity to families who can shop their clothing selections thanks to a Walmart partnership.
Families are given vouchers to spend, and shopping bags to fill up with brand-new items, with tags.
"There was a particular family that said look- they've never had anything with tags. They've already- always had things that were given...and they just began to weep, because it touched their heart so much," Stanley said.
Additionally, they provide hams during the holidays so families can celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions.
Stanley said they hope to expand their facility on Gaines Street, because the need they serve in the community has almost doubled since they opened their doors.
They're always looking for more community partners to donate items and funds to help additional families. They're also looking for more volunteers to help them organize, sort, and assist their community.