The local homeless shelter LAMP, Inc. is in need of a passenger van.  The shelter utilizes a van to transport residents of the shelter to and from work, job interviews, employment searching and doctors’ appointments.  The shelter serves nine surrounding counties.  The shelter’s motto is, “A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out”.  Residents of the shelter utilize their time during the day working towards becoming self-sufficient and the shelter has a 89% success rate, and typically those who complete the program in the shelter become completely self-sufficient.

In 1984, a small group of individuals, churches, and the synagogue in Lowndes County, Georgia, formed Lowndes Associated Ministries to People as a clearinghouse that would monitor and steward the distribution of local assistance dollars. Over the years, LAMP has become more than just a clearinghouse, it is now Lowndes County and the surrounding area’s local mission for the homeless. LAMP is funded through grant money as well as private donations from the community.

“LAMP is a caring community of faith providing for the basic needs of homeless and hurting members of our community.  We believe that all persons are created in the image of God.  We operate on the premise that all of God’s children have the same needs of food, clothing, shelter and love.” LAMP statistics:

- LAMP is the only shelter in the nine county area that provides services to single men, single women and families with children.  Housed 259 women & children and 77 men in the emergency shelter

- Housed 106 women & children through the transitional housing program

- Placed 185 individuals into permanent housing

- Served over 50,000 meals to our area’s homeless

- Provided over 15,000 services to our area’s homeless –  i.e. life skills classes, computer lab for job searches, transportation to and from job interviews and work, helping the homeless obtain proper identification, and much more.

To donate to the shelter, contact 229-245-7157 or mail/drop off donation(s) to 714 Charlton St. Valdosta, GA 31604.