Good News at Noon, a Gainesville-based transitional shelter for the homeless, is planning to expand its services by offering a 20-bed transitional housing program for women, thanks to a grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation.

They will use the $10,000 grant to purchase 10 bunk beds for the temporary women’s facility until the permanent shelter is complete in Gainesville.

“There’s not really an option for single homeless women in our area,” said Ken Gossage, director of Good News at Noon. “The Jackson EMC Foundation grant gives us the opportunity to do this sooner before the new facility is built,” Gossage said.

Once completed, the new facility will serve men and women experiencing homelessness in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties. Good News at Noon also provides a food pantry, clothes closet, shower facilities, medical screenings, and help getting documents for homeless people seeking a job. The organization serves more than 1,000 people a year and often partners with area churches, businesses, individuals and organizations to support its mission with volunteers and funding.

“We’re trying to connect with people and help them,” Gossage said. 

For more information about good news at noon, visit goodnewsatnoon.org.