New Home for Snellville Ministry

A Snellville ministry that provides assistance to families in need is moving into new facilities, but those it helps won't have far to go.

, a faith-based, nonprofit organization that runs a thrift store at 3541 Stone Mountain Highway (U.S. Highway 78) will be moving from its current location into a space twice as large, just a couple of stores down. This March, the nonprofit would have been in its current location for two years.

, who runs the nonprofit, said the store is moving into an old grocery located in the center of the strip mall that she currently leases in. For a while, she knew she needed more space for her ministry work, but the economy worked against her.

"I knew that I needed more space," she said. "The rent is just so high, and we're a ministry, and we try to keep that down."

She learned the store had fallen on hard times, and then in November there was a liquidation sale for the items inside of Jaliscos Supermarket & Carniceria.

Downdin asked about the space, and eventually she received "what I thought was a really great deal."

"I just kind of felt that God really opened that door," she added.

Not only would the owner allow her to move into the facility, leaving her current facility vacant, but grocery shelving -- that would be critical to her thrift store business -- were left in place for her to use as she wished. 

"He said, 'I'm leaving it in there for you.'"

Right now, volunteers are donating their time and materials to help get the new space ready for the big move. And, Dowdin hopes to be in the facility by this weekend.

There will be a new sorting room, space for a food pantry, and more space to sell goods to the community. Dowdin also wants a new sign for the building, so people more easily recognize Place of Seven Springs as they zoom by on U.S. Highway 78.

"If we have a bigger store and we can sell more, and that money goes back into the community," she said," 'we'll be able to help more people."

To learn more about Place of Seven Springs, or to donate to the ministry, log on to their website at http://www.placeofsevensprings.com. They can also be reached at (770) 736-3377.