Dorothy Dunbar believes in the power of prayer, and that belief has rarely been more important than now.

More than 35 people have been living with Dunbar, 80, in her house and a garage apartment on Myrtle Street in Vidalia.

But that’s down from the 55 people who were living there shortly after Hurricane Katrina forced them out of the New Orleans area.

The Reeds, Dunbars, Clarks, McCoys and Stevens, all related to Dunbar by blood or marriage, are slowly filtering out to other relatives and area motels, but the house is still crowded.

&uot;They’re all my family,&uot; Dunbar said.

&uot;Everyone here is related to me. I always reach out to people. My brother called and I told him, ‘Come here. You don’t have to worry about anything.’&uot;

And they came. Running from the storm, 55 people descended on Dunbar’s house, including her brother George Reed, 78, who led much of his family up to Vidalia.

Reed moved to New Orleans about 50 years ago after growing up in Woodville.

Now, with the family crowded into the house, there have been some adjustments.

A second refrigerator had to be bought just to help hold the food for meals.

Friday night Dunbar’s son Ray was doing the cooking, making hot dogs and fried fish for the 35 or so people still living in the house.

&uot;It’s outrageous, you have to cook constantly,&uot; Ray Dunbar said. &uot;You cook like you’re cooking for an army. We make pounds of food and have loaves of bread. That’s how you have to do it.&uot;

At night, conditions are tight. Pallets are laid out on just about every inch of floor space and some of the children share a couch for a sleeping space.

Assistance from the government and the Red Cross has helped the family buy food and pay expenses.

&uot;The sad thing is we don’t know how long we’ll be here,&uot; Ray said.

Dorothy Dunbar has held church services at her house for the people living there, she said.

&uot;This house is a house of prayer,&uot; Dorothy said.

&uot;That’s what holds me up. I got faith.&uot;