Shirley Combs of Toccoa is used to serving people from all walks of life in her restaurant, Shirley’s Soul Food Café in Toccoa, and Thursday was no different as Congressman Doug Collins stopped by to enjoy a meal and recognize Combs.
“When you have someone that makes a difference in a community, that’s one of the things that we all lift up,” Collins said. “When you have a lot of things going on in the world, sometimes it’s good to focus on what’s positive.”
Since opening the restaurant 19 years ago, Combs has welcomed the homeless in it every afternoon for a hot meal. She also runs Shirley’s Shelter, a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 300 people get off the streets.
Through Shirley’s Shelter, Combs maintains three homes for previously homeless men and women who work at her restaurant until they get back on their feet.
“We’ve entered her into the Congressional Record, which means it will always be there and people can come back and look her up and find out what’s going on,” Collins said. “It’s a way of recognizing people in our district and all over who make a difference in people’s lives.”
Combs, who learned Wednesday that Collins would be visiting at noon Thursday, said she is grateful the ministry is receiving recognition.
“I feel it an honor, I really do, to have someone come and acknowledge not what I’m doing but what God is doing through me,” Combs said. “I’m willing to do just what He tells me to do, and I appreciate everyone that came out today.”
