Volunteers describe growing homelessness outreach as Hope Mills reviews storage options for committee

Members of Hope Mills' homelessness committee and local volunteers described ongoing outreach and asked the board for a reliable storage location for donated supplies during the March 2 meeting.

Deanna Royal, chair of the homelessness committee, told the board she is developing a partnership with faith-based organizations that could provide storage space and kitchen facilities at no cost to the town. "We're working on building a partnership with our local faith-based partners who are going to provide us a space as well as kitchen space," she said. "There is no cost for this. It's a community partnership." (Deanna Royal)

Volunteers described regular feeding and intake efforts. Carlen Bailey, a registered nurse who does outreach with the homeless, said volunteers try to provide a —hand up— and urged continued town support: "The measure of a society is reflected in how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members," she said.

Connie, a volunteer who coordinates donations and feeding, said much of the activity is driven by churches and community donations rather than town funds. Town staff confirmed the homelessness committee still holds roughly 93.4% of its budget for the current fiscal cycle, and board members encouraged coordination with existing regional providers.

The board discussed moving committee briefings earlier in the agenda and agreed to continue working with the homelessness committee on storage options and partnerships. No formal board appropriation or storage-lease agreement was approved at the meeting; staff and the committee will continue to pursue the faith-based partnership and report back.