Interfaith Hospitality Network
Homelessness can seem like an overwhelming problem. Many people wonder what one person or congregation can do to truly make a difference.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) was the name of Family's Promise's core shelter program for 27 years, and consisted of families with children staying at congregations who used their houses of worship as shelters. Though the shelter model has now changed to apartments, the Interfaith Hospitality Network still exists in support of the new Apartment Shelter Program!
Read below to find out how your congregation can support one time, multiple times, or even become a formal member of the network!
What the "IHN" does
Weekly Meal Deliveries
Congregations can sign up for one, two, or any months of the year to do a weekly meal delivery. During your month, you take a meal to a family staying in an apartment shelter every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (flexible). It is generally a porch drop-off. We provide a script so you can ask questions to engage more if/as desired! Examples: Any prayer requests? Any birthdays coming up? Any holidays we can help with (Halloween, Mother's Day, etc.). Your meals do more than provide food; it lets a family in the shelter (and their kids!) know that they are not alone, not forgotten, and that they matter to you and your congregation.
Housewares & Linens Drives
Our Apartment Shelter Program is in constant need of housewares, linens, cleaning products, paper products, and more! Congregations can sign up to do a drive for any or all of the items on our restocking list. We will make sure they get put to great use in one of our apartments, and if your volunteers are available, we will even often ask if you can help set them up!
The Key to Success:
Congregation Coordinators
The congregation coordinators are Family Promise's point person with the congregation. They help sign up volunteers for meal delivery, get the housewares drive announced in the e-bulletin, and so forth. Their help with Family Promise's two annual fundraisers is pivotal too. They are invited to attend quarterly coordinator meetings with Family Promise staff for program updates, training, and success stories!
Joining the Interfaith Hospitality Network
Congregations can sign up to do meal deliveries or a housewares drive any time they want here. However, our programs exist because of a dedicated group of thirty congregations that commit to partnering with Family Promise as a member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Is your congregation interested in learning more? Read the agreement here, and email Toby Stark, Interim Executive Director, to schedule a conversation!
