GAINESVILLE - While larger populations of the homeless live in bigger cities - such as Atlanta - there are also smaller pockets of homeless people in smaller cities - such as Gainesville.<br />
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And, with the colder weather forecast by the weekend, at least one local ministry is trying to help those folks stay warm.<br />
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Ken Grindle is the president of Net India/Global Envoy, a group that also has a local ministry known as Highways & Hedges. Grindle said Wednesday he estimates there are between 75 and 100 people who live on the streets of Gainesville. He said the homeless population is not always easy to assist.<br />
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"You know, it's always changing - there's always a different group of people," said Grindle. "It seems like there's a few over the past five, six years we've been doing this that are consistent."<br />
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For the most part, the homeless population lives in pockets around the city, close to areas where they can meet the needs they have.<br />
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When the weather turns cold, as it is expected to do late this week, finding warmth can be challenging.<br />
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Grindle said his agency doesn't have a shelter, but they do what they can to help.<br />
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"We do have coats and sock caps and gloves and tents and sleeping bags that we try to facilitate on an as-needed basis," said Grindle. "We don't keep a huge supply but if it's something we don't have and we see that it's a real, genuine need that they have, then we'll try to meet it."<br />
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Grindle points out that a number of churches in Hall County minister to the homeless population year-round, and some of those churches have maintained relationships with those who live on the streets. <br />
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"A lot of churches, fortunately, are connected and do have people that go out and touch base with the homeless community," said Grindle.<br />
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For those who don't have a church connection, but want to help, Grindle said Highways & Hedges will be happy to take donations of blankets and coats and two-man tents. He said they'll make sure those supplies get to the right people.<br />
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"Jesus tell us to go into the highways and hedges and compel folks to come in so that His table may be full," said Grindle. He said that's the goal of the ministry in all kinds of weather.<br />
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<i>Donations may be dropped off at the Net India/Global Envoy office at 624 Green Street in Gainesville. Or those interested in knowing more, can email Ken Grindle at
[email protected].</i><br />
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