A charity charged with feeding families in need has moved into its first-ever headquarters.

Hands of Love Ministry -- with founder Fern Wade at the helm -- has been feeding people on the streets for more than seven years.

The new Mission will be located on Camp Hill Road at the old Southampton railway station.

Hands of Love pays $400 per month for the Government-owned building, and Mrs.

Wade is currently seeking contributions toward rent.

Although the building will not be used as a soup kitchen -- the charity plans to distribute food in the usual manner -- clothing and non-perishable foodstuffs will be stored at the headquarters.

Mrs. Wade spoke with The Royal Gazette while sorting clothes donated to needy families and preparing for the Mission's official November 1 opening.

Mrs. Wade, who was recently ordained as a pastoral evangelist, quit her job in order to become involved in the charity on a full-time basis.

And she stated: "My life right now is totally committed to God. ..this is my calling, and with the Lord's help, we're going to make it.'' Mrs. Wade said the issues plaguing residents -- including high rents, homelessness, and economic instability -- has caused the Ministry's resources to be stretched to the limit.

"My hands are full and running over. We need to have more shelters for the homeless -- that's my vision, to work with Government and build 24-hour shelters.

"The situation is getting out of hand -- even people receiving social assistance are looking for help.

"We don't get any help from Government, just a few cheques from dedicated people in the community -- so we're grateful for contributions.'' And Mrs. Wade said single parent households are that needs the most assistance.

"The problems of single parents are overwhelming -- it's mushroomed, it's huge -- and I've received four phone calls this morning from single parents seeking shelter, food, and help with rent.

"I don't understand how the court system in tiny Bermuda can't find deadbeat dads. Often, fathers who may be having a problem with the mothers take it out on the children -- and we have to address that,'' she said.

Mrs. Wade said many people in need of assistance are desperate because they cannot find affordable housing.

"There is no such thing as affordable housing in Bermuda, and we need to scratch that out,'' she said.

Although Hands of Love's primary focus is not to provide shelter, Mrs. Wade has taken matters in her own hands when encountering families in need.

"I've had my house for 15 years, and I've shared my house for 15 years,'' she said. "One time, I had a family of five live with me for six months...it wasn't easy, but we did it.

"We need to be more neighbourly, more family oriented. We need to go back to the things that money can't buy.'' Anyone able to assist the Ministry is asked to call Mrs. Wade on 238-2059.