The three men living at Shirley Combs’ shelter in Toccoa say the woman who started it 12 months ago is clearly doing God’s work.

Combs says she is having a great time doing it.

“The Lord says, ‘When we take care of the least of them, we take care of him,’” Combs said.

Shirley, who owns and operates Shirley’s Sole Food, has opened two transitional shelters in Toccoa in the past year – one for men and one for women. In addition, she feeds hungry people at her restaurant after it closes for lunch each day and operates a small thrift store.

The men’s shelter just celebrated its first anniversary of being in operation and has seen 17 men pass through its doors. The people Shirley help talk proudly of the house they live in, pointing out that it is a fully furnished home, rather than the stereotypical “shelter.”

Soft-spoken Brad Metheney has lived in the shelter since Shirley opened it. He came to Toccoa looking for work and found himself without a home. He said he not only found a place to live, but a place to find himself.

“It is a tremendous change,” Metheney said. “I have been going to her church ever since I have got over there, got saved and baptized, joined the church. It has helped me out 100 percent and made a world of difference. She is an awesome lady.”

Rick Minggie, who is originally from Buffalo, N.Y., is waiting to be able to afford to go home. He said the kindness he has received from Shirley has made him think about staying in Toccoa.

“Ms. Shirley received a call and was asked if she could help out a young man,” Minggie said. “She immediately, without any hesitation, opened up the door and since that time, that has been one of the best and greatest times I have had because she is like a mother to me. In fact, I call her Mom. She has opened up her heart and her door to me and has been a blessing.”

Vietnam vet Rick Brown has been homeless for 30 years and says life is “like running a base line,” and he is home now.

“Being in the shelter is like a dream come true,” he said. “I have been homeless for 30 years, and it is time to get off the streets and live … and until she kicks me out, I will be here the rest of my life.”

Shirley’s shelters operate solely on donations. A person can make a donation at her restaurant on Currahee Street or at any First Citizens Bank.