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September 19, 2012

The Good Samaritan... in Orangeburg

Samaritan House

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. – Proverbs 19:17

Samaritan House of Orangeburg began their good work in 2001 serving the communities of Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties.  Samaritan House could be labeled a shelter for the homeless, but to many it means more than a place to eat and sleep. It's home. 

The organization provides housing, meals and other assistance to individuals and families.  When you speak with residents, many agree the structure is demanding, but Samaritan House goes above and beyond the scope and breadth of what many shelters provide. 

One resident noted how the House once took in a hospice patient who was in need.  Probably the most outstanding success story comes from a former resident, who says she was so impacted by her stay at Samaritan House that she chronicled her experience there and later had it published as a book.  The story doesn’t end there.  She later was offered a staff position at Samaritan House and has been employed there helping others, as she was helped, for the last 18 months. 

A tough economy and budget constraints have Samaritan House tightening its financial belt, but that has not affected the positivity that permeates the Samaritan House atmosphere.  It reminds me of man who received an award for taking in eight children into his home after raising his own children and retiring.  At his acceptance, the crowd waited to hear from the man with a heart of gold.   He only said five words, “Some talk, and some do”.  

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