BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — Lee County’s first and only homeless shelter is now open. After more than eight months of renovations, Lee County Shared Hope, Inc. is ready to provide shelter and resources for those who need it.
"It’s a labor of love from people in this area who have done this," treasurer Sam Burchfield explains about the shelter – located on North Dennis Avenue near Main Street – that aims to serve the more than 80 people in the community experiencing homelessness.
"You drive by somebody sitting on the side of the road, you think, ‘That’s a bum.’ But that person’s homeless," Burchfield shares. "They’re hungry. They’re doing without. This is a place where they can come and move up and come out of that situation."
Burchfield and other volunteers are doing that by providing various resources for anyone who needs it. People can come into the shelter on days the temperature is above 85 degrees or below 30.
They can take a shower and change into scrubs while washing their clothes, receive free meals and get to-go necessity kits. They can also find a place to sleep and receive free counseling.
"We want to give them a hand up, not a hand out," Burchfield explains about wanting to provide life coaching, mental health counseling and educational opportunities.
"I think there are a lot of people who need help," Bishopville resident Lee Richardson says.
"We know they’re here because we see them," Burchfield agrees.
Richardson tells me seeing her community helping those struggling is "a great feeling."
"There are a lot of people in Lee County who regularly help others, so it makes it a much better community, a much nicer place to live," Richardson continues.
"I know what these people are going through," Burchfield shares, explaining he was once homeless.
Burchfield is using his past experience as a reason to give back.
"There’s a stigma that comes with it, and it’s hard to overcome. And then you have a lot of veterans who just…they have given up," Burchfield says. "You have a lot of homeless people in this area who don’t have any place to go. So I want to help those people. Our group wants to help those people. So we’ll give them all we can."
Since this is the first and only shelter in Lee County, Burchfield tells me volunteers will adapt as they learn how best to help.
"I hope the homeless shelter will really be a help to these people, but I think we just have to wait and see," Richardson says, citing lack of transportation and job opportunities as an obstacle those experiencing homelessness might still face.
"We’re learning as we go," Burchfield laughed. "We want to help the people who need us the most."
The shelter is waiting on some furniture, including beds and a freezer, which are expected to be delivered by the end of this week. Burchfield says the shelter is looking for volunteers, as well as donations. For more information on how you can help, you can email LeeCountySharedHopeInc@gmail.com.