From an article in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution

This Article Was Printed on October 21, 2004.

Today, the building where shoppers came for deals on jewelry, TV sets and camcorders attracts a clientele that has little or no money. But they don't often leave the food pantry and clothes closet of His Hands Extended empty- handed.

"Four years ago, when I started to think about putting a ministry here, I didn't think I could do it," said Bolin, who lives in Powder Springs. "I tried twice to give the idea to somebody else. But last fall, I realized I was giving my vision to someone else."

So Bolin took on the challenge of creating a place where Marietta's needy can drop by for a cup of coffee, pick up bargains of gently used clothes and receive food packages. By the look of the crowds that congregate on "sale" and food distribution days, Bolin is busier than she ever was as a pawnbroker.

The concept of His Hands Extended is simply to reach out to the community, Bolin, 51, said.

"It's for anyone who's in need," she said. "Ninety percent of the people who come through here have no money. If we can't help them, we'll put them in a place where they can get help. And we give away as much as we sell."

One paid secretary works with Bolin and the volunteers who staff the building and willingly share their lunches with the hungry homeless who drop by on a daily basis. They sort through the clothing donations, pricing nothing higher than $15 ? even items with price tags still attached. Though nondenominational, the group hosts open prayer meetings every Tuesday.

During last year's holiday season, His Hands helpers worked with more than 800 people who came through the doors. There was also a crush of clients just before school started.

"A lot of people came in here who couldn't buy their children new school clothes, so we let them pick out three outfits," Bolin said.

On Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, Bolin and her helpers hand out boxes of dried and nonperishable foods to clients who have come in during the week and asked for assistance. As with all the items at His Hands, the food is donated.

"It costs us about $6,000 a month to keep the building open and do this," Bolin said.

But items continue to arrive on Bolin's doorstep, even without the sponsorship of a local church.

"We don't go around promoting ourselves," Bolin said, "but the word just gets around. Sometimes we get here in the morning and there are boxes of canned goods on our door. Every day, people donate clothes, furniture, washers and dryers, whatever."

Gary Davis of Hiram has run his own street ministry in the area for four years, but he jumped at the chance to be a regular contributor to His Hands.

"It's a powerful place where people can come in and get connected with what they need," said Davis, who started pitching in last year. "It's also a place where people together can make a difference. It's not a movement, a church or a denomination. It's just about reaching people."

An interview done on a Christian radio program called The Juke Box

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