Are there homeless people in Summerville? On our historic, tree-lined avenues we don't see smelly bums begging for loose change, or grungy, worthless-looking people we avoid by crossing the street. Isn't that what homeless people look like? Not exactly. You won't see them sitting on the sidewalk, but you might see them at the public library, in line at Piggly-Wiggly, across the aisle from you at church, in Dorchester District II schools where there are greater then 500 students either living from place to place or sleeping in cars. This is what the very real face of homelessness looks like. Folks who are educated, skilled and ... out on the street due to a complex set of circumstances. Palmetto House is a temporary residence that helps homeless individuals and families while they are making successful transitions into the workforce. From the Palmetto House Soup Kitchen, 100 meals a day are served both to the homeless and to those at risk of becoming homeless. With so many more people being served at Palmetto House, there is an increased need for more paper goods, cleaning supplies, electricity, utilities and general maintenance for the building. Palmetto House will have a $20,000 shortfall in the budget by December 31. We will need the support of the whole community to keep the doors open and the lights on. One small business has a year-round habit of giving Palmetto House 1 cent from every dollar in sales every month. This business owner (who asks to remain anonymous) is putting forth a challenge to other businesses. Will you match the donation of one cent from every dollar to Palmetto House? For one week, or two weeks, or even a month? We are all struggling this year, but at Palmetto House there is no such thing as a small donation -- every penny counts. The pennies do add up: $3.15, the cost for the water bill for one day $21.50, the cost for a case of 4000 tri-fold paper towels $49.05, the cost for milk to pour on 25 bowls of cereal each day for a week $56.11, the cost of electric service for one day Are you willing to take up the challenge? Make a generous donation, and then become a volunteer so you can see how your donation is put to good use. Checks may be made payable to DIOM (Dorchester Interfaith Outreach Ministries), a 501(c)3 organization. Mail your tax-deductible donation to Palmetto House, P.O. Box 2696, Summerville, SC 29484. To volunteer, contact Lyndon Bray at lbray@palmettohouse.net or call (843) 486-0861.