Earlier this week, Kia Phillips was tending to a homeless family who had been provided a free hotel room for a week. But at 5 p.m. Monday night, Phillips no longer had the funds to keep paying for the family’s stay. They eventually would be back on the streets. It’s a situation that is becoming increasingly common in Warren County, as families and individuals struggle to keep a job, support themselves and keep a roof over their head. It’s a combination of the tough economic times facing many and increased exposure to a problem that has long been ignored. Thanks to the creation of God Cares Ministry, a nonprofit, all-volunteer driven organization, area homeless are getting help to get back on their feet. “We’re here to help people help themselves,” said Phillips, one of the group’s founders. Phillips, who has paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars out of her own pocket to help area homeless, relishes the opportunity to provide assistance to those in need. Phillips, who is employed at the Missouri Career Center in Warrenton, first began helping area homeless when she organized a homeless dinner in 2008 at Holy Rosary and fed hundreds who had been sleeping in area parks, campgrounds or in business parking lots. Since then, more volunteers have thrown their support behind the idea to help the homeless and financially strapped families and individuals. But Phillips’ vision to create God Cares Ministry didn’t come to fruition until meeting Nile Ramsbottom two summers ago. Ramsbottom, who formerly worked for Ralston Purina and lived in Iowa, moved to Innsbrook and was looking to get involved in the community. After talking with other local organizations, he was referred to Phillips. With the help of more volunteers and financial backing, the group officially formed God Cares Ministry and was incorporated in 2010. In December, the volunteer board obtained its nonprofit designation from the state to aid in its effort to solicit donations. While geared toward veterans, the organization helps all homeless and provides clothing, food and shelter and assists individuals in finding employment. Home management classes also are offered for those in need. While sometimes excessive drug and alcohol use play a part in a person’s inability to hold a job and become homeless, in many instances a family might have encountered tough financial times and found themselves needing help. The hope is, with some aid, an individual or family can then become self-sustaining to be able to provide for themselves. “We believe if they get employment, they have a pathway to get their lives back,” Ramsbottom said. “Good people sometimes fall through the cracks ofs life. Sometimes they just need a little help.” The organization’s numbers are staggering. While hundreds were assisted in the first homeless dinner in 2008, the need continues to rise. In 2010 alone, God Cares Ministry assisted 645 people in some way, whether it was providing food, shelter or gift certificates to gas stations or McDonald’s. In the final three months, 481 were helped, 422 of them at last year’s third annual homeless dinner. “I was amazed at first,” Ramsbottom said. “I didn't realize there was that many homeless, amazed at how many children.” Phillips and Ramsbottom are thankful for the community’s help. Ramsbottom recalled how a youth group from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Warrenton had been touring the Missouri Career Center one day and learned of a teenage couple living in a car. The visit was near prom so the youth decided to donate a dress to the teenage girl. While the girl was too embarrassed to accept the dress, the church group came back 10 days later and donated $300 to the organization. The organization hopes more volunteers will be interested to contribute in some way. Phillips’ long-term goal is to open a transitional service center to provide apartments for those needing a place to stay. The group has created a Web site (www.God-Cares-Ministry.org) where visitors can learn more about the organization and where donations can be made online. Anyone looking to contribute can call 636-697-7620 or donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 309, Warrenton, MO 63383.