Three Degree Guarantee: Hosea Helps

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Each month Atlanta News First gives back to a local organization doing good in our community. The amount of money we donate depends on the accuracy of our weather team and is matched by our generous sponsor CoolRay. This month, we are highlighting the work of Atlanta organization Hosea Helps.

Homelessness takes many forms.

“There are individuals who are chronically homeless and those who are sleeping on the street or living on the street but that is actually a very small population of individuals who are homeless. What we are seeing is a lot of middle-class families and when they fall, they fall really fast. We are seeing a dramatic increase in families living in hotels, families who are not on the street because they are living with other family members. We have a large population of people who are working and employed but living in their cars,” said Awodele Omilami, with Hosea Helps.

People are struggling — if not from inflation then from life, and that is where organizations like Hosea Helps step in to fill the gaps. Hosea Helps is also known as Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. They provide countless services to low-income individuals — everything from food help, rent assistance, job skill training. The goal: to prevent homelessness while caring for those who have already hit rock bottom. They say they provide services to 51,000 people a year. Seniors and single moms make up 60% of that number.

“Working with this organization, I can clearly see my impact on human suffering,” said Awodele.

Their history is rich.

“Hosea Helps is the largest African American food bank in the region. We were founded in 1970 by Civil Rights icon Hosea Williams, who was the national field organizer for Martin Luther King,” said Elisabeth Omilami, with Hosea Helps.

One step at a time. One good deed at a time. One box of food at a time — that is how change begins.

“Service to others is the most lasting, most empowering thing you can do with your life because at the end of the day, that is the only thing that is going to last,” said Elisabeth.