Helping Homeless Students-Erika Kurre

Only on FOX this week, you've seen the hardships two Midstate children endure, with nowhere to call home.

There are nearly a thousand metro students just like them, considered homeless.

And as the need continues to rise, a local organization is giving them and their families food, clothing and hope.

Lining up outside the door, a homeless students grandmother Sandra Williams says, "I never thought I'd be in a line."

These men and women are waiting for free food, clothing and hygiene products.

A homeless students mother Brandy Biggs says, "It's a blessing from God."

Invited by metro schools Hope Program to receive these boxes of goods, each family has a different reason why they're here.

Williams says, "My granddaughter and my grandson-- they are having a hard time so they had to move back in with me."

Williams husband is the only one able to find work, supporting a family of eight.

Brandy Biggs has three children herself and is recovering from an abusive relationship.

Biggs says, "I had went to the YWCA and then I had to go stay with relatives because of no place to live or anything."

All of these families are considered homeless by federal guidelines.

All of their children attend metro schools.

Feed the Children distribution center Manager Tim Marcheanks says, "These are just the ones that we've been able to target and identify. But there are always some that probably you don't know about."

One in every fifty students in America is considered homeless.

In metro schools, there are nearly a thousand.

Organizers of the Hope Program noticed the biggest surge in homeless students after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Program Organizer Catherine Knowles says, "I think it just created a greater community awareness about how many families there are who really are in transition and don't have a place to call their own."

It's the school's second year partnering with Feed the Children to help these families.

There are more than 230 boxes-- just in food. They'll all be given away by the end of the day.

They're also handing out packages of clothing, shoes and toothpaste in bulk.

Biggs says, "Anything is better than nothing. So I'm just happy with whatever I can get."

Most of it will be used over the next week-- during the Thanksgiving holiday-- when rescue mission workers say the need is among the greatest.

Williams says, "We try to do whatever we can for the rest of the family. So an extra turkey and everybody chipping in with whatever-- we're grateful."

No matter where these families are sleeping at night or how many times they've moved, it helps knowing someone cares.

Williams says, "It's kind of depressing in a situation of being here.. But then it's grateful. I'm blessed, I'm very blessed."

As part of Wednesday's event, Metro schools also helped register students for free tutoring services.

Their parents were also able to get free flu shots while there.Helping Homeless Students-Erika Kurre