As the temperature drops, the need to assist the homeless and near-homeless in town grows. Turning Point, a local non-profit resource center that aims to fight and prevent homelessness, received $2,250 on Thursday to help achieve those goals.

The money came from the Point Independence Yacht Club Grand Slam Fishing Tournament, which took place in Onset this past June. Chuck Hurley, the chairman of the tournament, said the two-day affair saw over 140 participants. He said this is their second year the tournament has benefitted Turning Point.

"We had donated to big charities in the past but wanted to do something more local," Hurley said. "We wanted to do something to pay back to the communities we enjoy resources in."

Peggy Hall, who recently became the new director of Turning Point, said the money will go toward providing rental assistance, utility assistance and various other programs Turning Point has to help the near-homeless and homeless in Wareham.

Hall said earlier in the day on Thursday TP helped a working mother with a 10-year-old son pay with rent payments she had fallen behind on.

"We can combat homelessness thanks to donations like this," Hall said. "This is a big impact for us,"

Rose Berry of Eastern Bank facilitated the donation from the Yacht Club to Turning Point. Berry, who recently joined Turning Point Board of Directors, said when Hurley approached her about donating to a local organization Turning Point was the first place she thought of.

Hall said Turning Point provides assistance to hundreds of families and that there will likely be an uptick in need during January and February because of increased utility bills. She also said, however, that there is a need for help year round.

Wareham doesn't have a year round shelter but during the winter months a group of local churches provide meals and shelter through the Nights of Hospitality program.

Hall said during the months the Nights of Hospitality doesn't run, Turning Point provides food, clothing, blankets and more to those in need.

David Shaw, pastor of the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene (one of the participating churches in the Nights of Hospitality) as well as the chairman of the board of directors for the Wareham Area Committee for the Homeless, said donations of this size help Turning Point get beyond day-to-day help and create a bigger impact in fighting and preventing homelessness.

Hurley said the Fishing Tournament's donation was almost twice the size of last year's $1,250 donation and he hopes to continue to increase that number each year going forward.