By Paula Day

Advent is a time when many people reach out in a special effort to help the poor and needy. "Sharing and Caring" in north Georgia's Habersham County is just such an effort which continues throughout the year. Its ecumenical flavor, however, makes it unusual.

The five-year-old program is the brainchild of Father Gerald (Pete) Peterson, a Glenmary priest, who is pastor of St. Mark's parish in Clarkesville. He describes Sharing and Caring as a "faith effort to reach out to people in need."

Before the fall of 1982, Father Peterson and St. Mark's parishioners had operated a thrift store. Proceeds from donated clothing sold at the store went to help an average of 300 families a year.

The effort "began to consume all my time," Father Pete explains, and so he decided to ask other churches in the Clarkesville area to help. "I like the ecumenical aspect. It gives more solid ground for the work to continue and grow."

Father Peterson shared his idea with the local Episcopal priest, Reverend Julian Lachicotti. The two pastors agreed the project would need the help of the large Baptist and Methodist congregations.

Five years later, 21 Habersham County churches participate in the work of two Sharing and Caring Places, one in Clarkesville, the other in Cornelia. Congregations in Clayton, a town in neighboring Rabun County, have begun their own Sharing and Caring project. "Most of the people involved are motivated by the Gospel to be there," Father Peterson says. "At the meetings of the volunteers we try to emphasize the Christ-like spirit of helping the poor. We're not involved in proselytizing."

In those five years one hundred dollars a month's worth of donated food and clothing has grown to $1,000 a month. Yearly donations of food and clothing are estimated to be over $60,000. The operation's budget is over $100,000 a year. "A real blessing," according to Father Peterson, is that the project "gave a concrete expression for the St. Vincent de Paul Society to get involved." Emergency needs for food and clothing are taken care of immediately. In rural areas it's unrealistic to make home visits. The volunteers put in three hours a week of work at the Place, meet a lot of people, and do something concrete."

Good management and cooperation, according to Father Peterson, contribute to Sharing and Caring's success. Two members from each member church form a board to oversee and make policy for the non-profit organization. Deacon John Thompson and his wife, Ruth, represent Father Peterson on this board. A "hands-on" group of five -- made up of an "overall" manager and managers for the clothing, food, medical and volunteer areas -- takes care of day-to-day concerns. This group meets every Monday, prays together and resolves minor difficulties. "They do a good job of ironing out problems," Father Peterson adds.

Sharing and Caring's pantry of donated food and its thrift store are in the basement of the building which once was a sanctuary for Clarkesville's Catholic population until they moved to the present St. Mark's Church. Those who need emergency food and/or clothing may come there between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, or Friday for help. Volunteers from the contributing churches work the shifts.

Clothing sold in the thrift store is "top rate," according to John Thompson. Proceeds from the store provide the money for emergency financial assistance and for some food staples that aren't donated. Participating churches also contribute financial support.

"One good feature," Father Peterson says, "is Sharing and Caring brings clothing, food and emergency financial help all together." Avoiding duplication of services convinced some churches to join the project. Sharing and Caring also saves the county money, Father Peterson points out.

Deacon Thompson emphasizes that the help is for emergencies. "We explain this to those who come," Ruth Thompson says. We keep records and if we find the same people return we try to help them solve their financial difficulties though counseling. A lot of times it's just a matter of poor money management."

An ecumenical approach is not the only unusual aspect to Sharing and Caring. People who need dental or eye care can receive help. A combination of donated professional services, partial payment from the client, and a subsidy from Sharing and Caring covers the expense of care. Record show 42 people received help for eye care to date this year; 18 received dental care help.

According to a 1980 government report, 12.9 percent of Habersham County's population lives below the poverty level. The national average is 9.6 percent. "I thank my lucky stars every night," Ruth Thompson says. We feel like the Lord has blessed us and we like to share that." Her husband adds, "We're doing some of the corporal works of mercy that Jesus asked and taught us to do."

Mrs. Thompson admits, "I go home drained emotionally. It hurts to see young 18- and 19-year-old mothers with two or three children and no husband and no food." While Sharing and Caring limits its cash assistance for such items as prescriptions and utilities to $125 per year, "we try not to limit food," Ruth Thompson says.

During the Advent season, volunteers are soliciting donations to fill food baskets Sharing and Caring will distribute to 350 to 400 families at Christmas. The effort is not only ecumenical. Organizations other than churches get involved in the county-wide effort. Girl Scouts help collect. Grocery store managers and apple orchard owners contribute. Trucks labeled as donation sites occupy prominent spots in the community.

"Buying gifts doesn't mean anything. We're giving some people a Christmas they might not have," John Thompson says. "We try to keep a strong religious atmosphere. In the baskets we put a Bible story book for each family."

The ecumenical involvement of Sharing and Caring has been good for the Catholic minority of Habersham County. "One big plus is we've made a lot of friends among people in other churches," Father Peterson comments. "They find out we're not so bad," John Thompson says. "It's true evangelization. Barriers are coming down. One man said to me, 'Your church is outstanding. They're here all the time.'"

Thompson admits, "Once people get interested, it's like a fever. To get a 'thank you' note is great because you don't expect it. Some of the volunteers are people who came to Sharing and Caring for help and then when they got on their feet, volunteered to help." Thompson concludes, "It’s the Lord's work. It will go on even after Father Pete leaves."