Page 7 - OnThePath.Oct.2017

Interfaith Help Services
“Offering assistance to people in Union County for 26
In 1991, Father Bob Allen, new rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, noticed soon after arrival that many people
were coming to the church seeking help dealing with emergencies in their lives. Most lived on limit- ed incomes, while others faced an unexpected crisis because of illness or the loss of a job. He felt there needed to be a systematic, broad- based, better response to these needs. That fall he approached cler- gy from the downtown churches to begin conversations that could lead to a cooperative service/outreach ministry. The original intent was to offer assistance in emergencies, not solve the problems, but working together with the clients to address their needs. St. Mary’s had already begun keeping records and setting limits that would allow finite funds to be spread more broadly. After a lengthy period of planning, a deci- sion was made to build on the foundation that had already been established.
The result was Interfaith Help Services (IHS), an ecumenical, out- reach service that has been offering assistance to people who live in Union County for nearly 26 years. IHS continues to be located at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where it maintains a food pantry, sever- al freezers and an office staffed Monday through Thursday to work
Donna Holmes
with clients from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The office is reached from the Madison Avenue parking lot. The office phone number is 862-2294. People seeking assistance must bring a picture ID (such as a driver’s license) and the bill in question.
A loyal board of directors made up of laity and clergy from all the supporting congregations, manages this agency. This is almost a mir- acle in itself, with such a diverse group working to help people with large utility bills, food, medication, transportation, with impressive
compatibility. Joining the Arkansas Food Bank in March 2014, has made a greater quantity and quality of the food available to us. This has significantly improved what IHS has been able to offer its clients. Recently, with the help of Clara Jones and a dedicated group, cooks gather once a month for “Cooking Together” to deal with large pieces of meat (secured from the Arkansas Food Bank) so that casseroles can be made available to clients.
The requirements for a “partici- pating” congregation are simply to provide volunteer office workers, a member of the board, encour- age their pastor (or another clergy person) to attend monthly board meetings, to make an annual mon- etary contribution (any amount is welcomed). IHS can always use volunteers to work two-hour shifts in the office or to come in regularly to sack groceries for distribution, and to unload the truck delivering from the Food Bank.
The original participating churches were: First Baptist, Holy Redeemer Catholic, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist and St. Mary’s Episcopal. Over the years oth- ers have joined the effort: Cross Life Baptist, Faith Community Church, Our Savior Lutheran, East Faulkner Church of Christ, College Avenue Church of Christ and Liberty Church is a regular
financial contributor. Each summer the Methodist congregations make a contribution from their “Round Robin” services. For many years the offerings from the ecumenical Holy Week services have been given to IHS. Each month The Retired Teachers and Master Gardeners who meet at St. Mary’s bring food for the pantry.
IHS offers assistance to needy cli- ents valued at $50,000 in the course of a year.
Contributions of food are staple items such as dry cereal, canned vegetables, peanut butter, grape jelly, dry beans, crackers, canned tuna, etc. IHS is a 501(c)(3) agency for which donors may claim a tax deduction. The fact that some local corporations match the contribu- tions made by their employees has been very helpful. Over the years a number of dentists have assist- ed IHS in providing basic dental care. When a client needs a pre- scription, IHS is often able to help with that. Sometimes this bridg- es the gap between the Interfaith Clinic’s application to the Patients’ Assistance Program and the client’s reception of their medication.
Most often each board meeting is ended with a simple dismissal that summarizes very briefly what IHS is about: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.’
• Cuts
• Perms
• Manicure • Pedicure
• Massage • Waxing • Color
Services
8605
105 E. Main Street El Dorado, AR 862-1747 • 862-1853
El Dorado NEWS-TIMES – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 – 7
Strong people do not put others down. They lift them up.
1106 N.W. Ave. • El Dorado • 862-0014
OPEN
M-F 8:00-5:30 SAT. 8-3
0416