Bo Diddley Community Plaza, Saturday 4:30 p.m.
Many of the people here eat meals by the schedule of churches and charity houses.
While often referred to as homeless or needy, almost all of them have shelter; a rented apartment that leaves no money for food or electricity, a cot and roof provided in charity, or a tent pitched in the woods.
Some sleep on sidewalks.
Until recently, they lined a side street along St. Francis House. A fence now prevents them from leaning up against the building opposite the shelter so they sleep elsewhere, in spots that most prefer not to reveal.
According to the people on the street and those who work to clothe and feed them, the number of homeless in Gainesville has noticeably increased in the last six months. A census of the homeless to be taken today and Wednesday is expected to support this observation.
On the south end of the plaza, a line forms for the Fire of God Ministries' bus to Saturday service.
Many of those waiting are just as interested in the free, hot meal that is offered beforehand.
Bill, who has been homeless since October, repacks his duffel and wonders where he stashed his sleeping bag.
Bill hides some of his belongings, but sometimes he hides them so well that even he can't find them.
The homeless, who are are often victim to theft, find various ways to secure their possessions. Some carry around everything at once, while others leave their stuff at camp.
"Fire of God puts on a really impressive spread," he said, after he organized his bag. "It's one of the best meals in town."
The church's refurbished school bus usually shows up around 5:00 to take people to the dinner and service, but today it arrives late.
Fire of God Ministries, Saturday, 5:50 p.m.
All but one of the 22 seats are doubled up with passengers when the bus pulls into Fire of God, a church which provides religious and essential services to Gainesville homeless.
The bus is always full and there are vans that visit other parts of the city as well, said Jeffery Smith, 46, a Fire of God volunteer bus driver. Coffee is served, food is blessed and the meal line assembles; women at the front, followed by married couples and children, and all others behind.
Tonight there is grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, cabbage, rice, salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, desserts and tea.
When everyone is finished eating, there is an hour of religious music.
A volunteer takes donations in a collection bag. Somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of the congregation is unemployed and many of them pay in handfuls of pennies.
In the past, women have offered earrings and necklaces to the church, but were urged to keep them, said Marcia Cromwell, a volunteer at Fire of God.
Feeling inspired after a dozen or so songs, Pastor Arnold Liverman begins to perform faith healings.
More than 30 people line up with ailments ranging from depression to back problems.
The medical attention that the homeless receive is usually subpar because they don't have insurance, Liverman said.
Bonnie Hummel, a minister at Fire of God, agrees.
"Illness takes a toll on them," she said. "That makes them more interested in healing services."
The service ends with a brief sermon on loving one another. The yellow bus loads back up and heads downtown.
Editor's note: This story is part of a two-part series in which Staff Writer Hunter Sizemore reports alongside Gainesville's homeless.
