Hosea Helps Is Among The Nonprofits Getting Relief Funds. Here’s How They’re Using it
Hosea Helps CEO Elisabeth Omilami feeds the homeless across Atlanta. The nonprofit recently received $450,000 from Fulton County commissioners during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nicole Sage / Hosea Helps
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recently approved $10 million to support local businesses and residents as the coronavirus pandemic capsizes the U.S. economy.
Fulton officials said about one-third of that money is being distributed among eight local nonprofits. Those include Buckhead Christian Ministries, Mercy Care, the Midtown Assistance Center and Hosea Helps. The pandemic has left all of them struggling in their mission to lend a hand.
Elisabeth Omilami is the CEO of Hosea Helps, the charitable group that’s long been known for feeding Atlanta’s poor and homeless. Now, she said it’s in need of some help itself.
Omilami said the nonprofit is getting about 200 calls a week, many from people living in hotels asking for rental and utility assistance.
“We’re going to help the people in hotels. They’re paying $400 a week, we’re going to be able to give rent and mortgage assistance,” Omilami said. “About $800 a month is our maximum on that.”
She said Hosea normally serves about 75 families a week.
“I don’t think any of us realized what the pandemic was going to do to nonprofits,” she said.
Omilami said Fulton County gave Hosea Helps $450,000. She spoke to “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam about how the nonprofit will be able to answer some of Atlanta’s cries for help, but not all of them.
Correction: This story has been updated to show that Nicole Sage took the photo.
Top Stories
