DOC-UP Executive Director Heather Donahue, left, goes over a file with Sherry Carter, a board member and volunteer. Donahue says the agency has provided some $3 million in temporary assistance with rent, utilities and prescription drugs during the past 30 years.

DALTON, Ga. — During the past 30 years, the Dalton Organization of Churches United for People (DOC-UP) has provided more than $3 million in assistance to Whitfield County residents who needed temporary help paying for rent, utilities or prescription drugs.

“Last year alone, we helped 719 households, 1,500 people or more,” said DOC-UP Executive Director Heather Donahue. “We estimate that over the last 30 years we have handled about 36,000 cases.”

On Thursday, DOC-UP will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an open house at its headquarters at 114 S. Hamilton St. from 12:30 to 3 p.m. with refreshments. Donahue says it is an opportunity to thank all of those who have supported its work over the years and to introduce DOC-UP to new people.

“We would love to have a great turnout by the community,” she said.

DOC-UP was formed in 1987 by several downtown Dalton churches.

“They believed they could do more together than separately. And they also did not want to support dependence as could happen if someone went from church to church to church seeking assistance. But coming together to support DOC-UP, they realized they could pool their resources and monitor repeat visits,” Donahue said.

Today, DOC-UP is supported by 25 churches and six Sunday school classes as well as individual contributions.

Will Scott, pastor of Dalton’s First Presbyterian Church, says helping keep people in their homes is a challenge for many communities.

“Dalton is no different,” he said. “And helping people stay in their homes is an important part of the mission of churches. By helping DOC-UP we are doing what we are supposed to do.”

Matt Evans, pastor of Rock Bridge Community Church, says unfortunately many people can sometimes find themselves temporarily in need of help.

“We have wage earners who are living paycheck to paycheck and a child gets sick or there’s an unexpected expense and they may have trouble paying for everything,” he said. “DOC-UP is really for those people in that sort of temporary crisis.”

Providing help without creating dependency is still a goal of DOC-UP.

“Especially when we are providing help with rent and utilities, we are looking for people who can prove they have been here at least three months and that they plan to stay,” Donahue said. “We are trying to keep the money we raise locally here in the community.”