Hall County’s Santa Randy’s faith leads him to feed the homeless community

Published On: August 13, 2025

However, Smith, 55, sees helping the underprivileged as much more than a seasonal job.

Thanks to Phil Skinner

He stated that we are helping the homeless. We are merely God’s hands and feet.

In 2019, Smith and his spouse, Melanie, began providing food and clothing to homeless individuals in Atlanta, Athens, and Covington. Smith’s side gig as Santa helped fund a lot of those initiatives.

When he observed a young child in Athens among a bunch of homeless adults, his calling became clear.

Thanks to Phil Skinner

Adults were one thing. However, he was unable to comprehend the realities of homeless children.

Smith remarked, “I saw the people, not just the situation.” And I reasoned that I must be able to accomplish something.

Smith was the son of a Sunday school teacher and a preacher, and after decades away, he and his wife had just returned to church. Through a local outreach program, the congregation often volunteered. After joining in, the Smiths continued.

Thanks to Phil Skinner

When Smith visited a secondhand store in Athens one day to indulge his love of thrifting after playing Santa in Jefferson, he discovered that they held a monthly outreach for the homeless. At that point, he began planning his own yearly Black Friday giveaway. Warmth, a pair of socks, gloves, and a cap were given to each person in need.

However, his mission didn’t truly take shape until he passed a section of road close to the Gainesville airport. Dorsey Street was crowded with tent after tent. At least 100, he said.

He began by delivering firewood, which was a wonderful sight on a chilly December day, since he knew he couldn’t just show up without permission. To foster trust, he brought Stefen Wilson, a friend and coworker, along with doughnuts.

Wilson remarked, “It was just amazing to see this brother out there spreading God’s love.” “I’m in, brother,” I said.

Wilson has served as the focal point for a small team of volunteers who have accompanied Smith and witnessed the expansion of his nonprofit, Santa for the Homeless.

Thanks to Phil Skinner

Smith is currently receiving donations from neighbors, coworkers, and even nearby eateries and shops using the Nextdoor app. Eleven long tables filled with clothing, socks, tents, gloves, hygiene kits, and sleeping bags are now part of the monthly event that began with a single truckload of supplies. The residents’ prayer requests, which are hanging like Christmas tree ornaments, are kept on the twelfth table.

Thanks to Phil Skinner

Another of Smith’s coworkers at Uline, Rev. Derrick Davis, pastor of Countryside Baptist Church in Buford, stated, “I have seen him grow and grow and watched the Lord bless and bless him and provide volunteers, supplies, resources, whatnot.”

According to Davis, Smith is a giving, amazing, and sincere man who is always willing to lend a hand.

He added that he enjoys working with the homeless.

These days, Smith’s activities are mostly concentrated in Hall County, although they extend beyond the county boundaries.

He traveled to South Georgia with supplies and a readiness to assist when terrible floods struck. Additionally, he and Melanie ended their date night early to be there with tents, dry clothes, and other emergency supplies when the Gainesville campground flooded.

Smith stated, “I just try to go where I’m needed.”

Melanie would rather work in the background, handling the administrative burden, organizing donations, and running the logistics of his Christian-based ministry, which is currently funded by ten congregations. Once, she grudgingly took center stage by dressing up as Mrs. Claus for a holiday function. But mostly, she manages the business from home in silence.

She is, in Smith’s opinion, the catalyst that keeps everything going smoothly.

She promptly returns the credit to him.

She said, “This man does so much for people.”

The pair is now prepared to move on to the next phase, which involves establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This will enable them to expand their outreach, fortify their relationships, and reach even more individuals in need or able to provide assistance. Additionally, they are launching Santaforthehomeless.org.

For Smith, it all stems from the same motivation that led him to begin.

Smith, who recalled his happy upbringing in a one-bedroom house with his parents and three sisters with the living room serving as his bedroom, added, “I always knew I wanted to help people.”

“Unbelievably, everything in our ministry is based on faith,” Smith said, adding that God commands us to love our neighbors as I love the church. Five years later, we are still here without receiving grants, monetary gifts, or begging for money. Everything is based on faith.