As nearly 50 people file into the Garner United Methodist Church fellowship hall Jan. 9, church member Joe Koon imagines what it is like for the homeless who cannot get away from the cold.

Temperatures dipped below 20 degrees last week and the members of the Garner United Methodist Church and Saint Andrews Church were ready to offer the homeless that much-needed break.

“We’re not solving anything,” Koon said. “We’re just offering a break.”

Before a hot meal and warm shower, the group stands around the large room, holding hands and giving thanks to God for many blessings.

“We do all this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” team leader Richard Claxon prays.

The prayer in Spanish follows, led by Claxon’s son-in-law, Carlos.

The 33 people that came in by bus and the 20 more walk-ups get in line to for a spread of food including barbecue, beef stroganoff, fried chicken, salad, green beans, jambalaya and assorted desserts.

Others line up for a warm shower in one of the four stalls the church has downstairs and to change into a fresh set of clothes.

While many eat, church members take leftovers and make takeout plates with snacks and bottles of water so that those who came can eat again later.

Humble beginnings led to abundant blessings

HOPE ministry started three years ago when former School Board District 2 candidate Carlene Lucas wanted to help the homeless.

“She was just led by God,” Koon said.

Koon got involved a week after the ministry started, driving around to pick up homeless and bring them to the church for a meal. He became the organizer for the project.

“He’s our Moses,” Claxon said of Koon’s leadership.

But one person couldn’t do the work alone. Koon said there are usually 10 to 20 people at the church each Saturday, driving two and from the two bus stops, preparing food, serving, helping with showers and passing out fresh clothes and cleaning after everyone leaves. Behind the scenes, Koon said there’s an army of people that donate time and money to the ministry.

Koon said the ministry is an example of the loaves and fish parable in the Bible.

“It’s amazing. Stuff just appears,” he said. “It just happens.”

Garner UMC gets help from Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Garner and Poplar Springs Baptist Church each week. Koon said the help from the other church families has been a blessing.

“It’s kind of icing on the cake,” he said.

Ole Time Barbecue on 401 has been a major supporter of the outreach ministry as well. The business donates food to the church each week for the meal.

Giving HOPE has made a difference

Claxon said the church members have seen some remarkable transformations because of HOPE Ministry.

Thomas Allen experienced a homeless situation during the summer months and said the church’s expression of love meant so much to him.

“There’s a big need for this and even more in Garner and Wake County,” he said.

Allen said he hopes to offer transportation for more people further away from the two bus stops who might not be able to attend the meals currently.

Duane McConnell began coming to the Saturday afternoon meals soon after the ministry began. McConnell lived homeless by choice because he didn’t want any to accept any responsibilities, including the family he left behind in Fayetteville.

McConnell said he was too inebriated at times from drugs and alcohol to be admitted onto the church’s bus.

Homelessness wasn’t new to McConnell. He ran away from home at the age of six and was raised in a Catholic orphanage. While he grew up in a Christian atmosphere, McConnell said it never hit him what it all meant.

Church members began picking him up for Sunday worship service and one day he started to help clean the church showers after the meal.

“The Lord worked on me,” he said. “Once the Lord gets his claws in you, you’re headed up in the sky.”

Now, McConnell lives in the area and helps with HOPE ministry, telling others his story and encouraging them to lead better lives.

“I put it all behind me now because I think a new way,” he said. “It’s kind of nice.”