CUMMING — Who thought lying in bed could be so productive? So productive, in fact, it raised $26,000.

The Family Promise Bed Race & Festival was held Saturday at Forsyth Central High to benefit the nonprofit homeless sustainability program.

Nine teams representing groups from churches and banks to the local sheriff’s office built wheels onto mattresses and frames to race around the school track.

“We’re getting very close with having enough money to get the thing started, but without the 13 churches we’re in limbo,” said Jim Leeds, who is on the pioneer board to open a local chapter of Family Promise.

The program has shown success nationwide, including as close as Gwinnett County, in housing homeless families with children in rotating churches. When kids go to school, parents attend work force development and financial planning classes.

At last count, there were about 400 Forsyth County Schools students suffering from homelessness.

The nonprofit must have $50,000 and commitment letters from 13 faith congregations to open. Saturday’s fundraiser boosted the bank, but the group still needs six more congregations.

Freedom Tabernacle Church, which is one of the seven committed, won the race, with Cumming United Methodist Church finishing second.

Parkway Presbyterian Church, which has signed on as a support church by offering services or volunteers, took home the Brass Bed Award for raising the most money, more than $6,000.