What began as an attempt to help out one struggling family has grown into a mission serving hundreds in south Seminole County.

“So the store really enables us to bring in an income, that enables us to help the families,” said Krissy Goss.

Goss let News 13 tour the thrift store she started out of frustration after trying to help a homeless couple she knew.

“I started researching and finding out the lack of services in this area, where I lived, in Oviedo. I didn't even know there was such a need.”

Their plight let to, what she says, was her calling.

That was back in 2006. Now the organization she founded, HOPE Helps, Inc. -- Housing, Outreach, Prevention and Education -- sees a steady stream of people in need.

“If somebody is sent here and they have been homeless or just a family has lost their house in a fire or just a young mom about to have a baby, we can give them everything they need and we don't charge for that,” Goss said.

Goss said 60 percent of the funds to run HOPE are generated by the thrift store's sales.

“Every day, the volunteers have to go pick up food and bring it here.”

Not long after opening HOPE, she added a food pantry. In the pantry's first month, 75 families were helped. Now HOPE helps 300 per week with an estimated 5,000 pounds of food. Few other places in the area can offer that kind of ongoing help to families in need.

“So we decided that we would allow people to come, if they're in need for as long as they're in need,” said Goss.

In 2009, they added Kids of HOPE, a summer program that provides healthy lunches for kids while parents are working.

Not only is parking at a premium here in Oviedo but people needing food or clothing from HOPE have to cross a very busy road to get to a building that is far too small for the number of clients it serves.

Donations pile up outside while inside some of the nearly 500 volunteers work to meet the growing demand.

In addition to clothing and food, clients can get help applying for a job or help with other services.

If HOPE can find a bigger home, eventually Goss envisions a full service center for those in need.

“Not having any idea that from that first family that this would be created, it was pretty amazing."

In August, Kids of HOPE will have their back to school bash, which provides over 500 children in need with everything from pencils and notebooks, to underwear and clothing to make sure they're ready for the first day of school.

There is a great need for donated men's clothing to the thrift store. Any clean clothing that isn't sold or given away is passed on for free to organizations that help those in need overseas.