June 2014 ISSUE 101 Thanks to Donors - Young Man Reunites with Family by Sonya Tyler As I sat at my computer this morning trying to come up with an article for the newsletter, God sent me the perfect story (that only He could write). One of our faithful volunteers, Charlene, came to my office with a deeply troubled look. She said, “Sonya, I have a young man at my desk that’s so desperate for help he’s in tears. Please come see if there’s something you can do.” I met Joshua and learned he had been living on the streets for several weeks after a divorce from his wife. He had nowhere to stay, no job, no money and no hope. He explained that he had family in Indianapolis that he could stay with and his mom had found him a job, but he had no way of getting there. All he had were the clothes on his back. The room seemed to stop as everyone held their breath in anguish over this poor young man’s situation. I took Joshua to my office and we talked some more. It was clear to me that God had sent him to us for help and I wasn’t going to let him leave until we had a plan. So, as he ate breakfast in our kitchen, I went online and purchased a Greyhound bus ticket for him. When he was done, I walked him over to our Clothing Boutique so he could get some clothing until he got home. And finally, our pantry volunteers fixed him up a bountiful backpack full of easy to eat travel food. The smiles on our volunteers faces lit up the room knowing Joshua was being taken care of. Joshua’s bus was set to leave at 930 that evening, so I introduced him to our soup kitchen so he could get a hearty lunch, and afterwards I took him to the Greyhound Station. I also learned one of the volunteers had slipped him money to buy a disposable cell phone so he could call his family and let them know where he was and when he would be home. There are so many cool things about this story. First, that God led him to Interfaith because He knew we would care for Joshua. Second, thanks to our donors we were able to provide him with a bus ticket, food, clothing and most importantly - hope. And of course, for the wonderful people God put in His path this morning, as our volunteers gave of their time and let him know God loved him and he was not alone. This is Interfaith. And we are honored to serve a loving God and share that love with all His children. Getting on the List If you’re receiving our newsletter by mail, and would like to get it electronically, please let us know. The electronic version is in full color and easy to share with family and friends. To get on our email list, contact Sonya at 629-8868 or [email protected]. Clients Served Jan - Apr 2014 Food (Ocala) Outreach (food): Reddick Fellowship Ft McCoy Marion Oaks Pedro (new) TOTAL FOOD: Hygiene items 3,376 571 184 271 327 68 4,797 1,914 (Totals above are per household) Clothing 2,102 Boots 23 ID Cards 124 Diaper 264 “Reader” Glasses 279 Gas Vouchers (medical) 51 RX Clients 143 RX Cost $10,704 Food 4 Kids Children served Meals provided 1,650 109,320 Shelter Women Children Men 30 27 5 How to Donate Want to help support the work we do? Please send a check payable to “Interfaith Emergency Services” at PO Box 992, Ocala, FL 34478, or give securely online at www.iesmarion.org. Thank you to all our supporters that give faithfully to bless this ministry. From the Chief Executive Officer: Karla Grimsley S ometimes ordinary events yield extraordinary results. Everyday we do what we are here to do; provide shelter, give people groceries and clothing, help others with their medication expenses. Of course one of the underlying themes we try to uphold here is to share the love of Christ through our deeds and actions. Recently I was reminded of how important that is. We attended a ceremony to memorialize homeless people who have passed and to celebrate some people who had overcome homelessness and are now productive self-sufficient members of our community. Clients got up to share how their lives had been touched by various organizations. Most of the stories focused on the specific services and encouragement they received. When the representative from Interfaith got up I was blown away. His testimony (and that’s what it was) was more focused on his relationship with God and the powerful impact that had on all of the other aspects of his life. I remembered sitting in devotions with him and he was always tuned in. What I took for granted is what was happening on the inside. For me it was our routine time of prayer, Bible reading, and discussion which always puts my day on the right course. For this young man who was lost and undone, it was life-changing! A transformation was taking place on the inside that is now reflected on the outside. Just this last week another young woman at our devotional time gave her heart to the Lord. Now when you see her, she always has a smile on her face....even though she’s living in a homeless shelter. Thank you for your prayers. I know when we see lives changed like these, you are out there praying for Interfaith. Keep it up! It’s making all the difference. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 Keller Williams’ Red Day and ‘Give Where you Live’ by Ken Nelson Interfaith was incredible blessed recently by Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty when we became the recipients of their annual Red Day/Keller Cares. In May, a group of 35 or so agents and even some of their family members, converged on Interfaith to spiff up our shelter and offices and do some much needed painting. Group member Sherri Meadows said, “I believe in the Keller Williams motto ‘Give where you live’ and I love to give back to my community.” Michelle Livingston Shiver headed up the group. Her team was not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get busy. Groups of 5-6 were formed and the work began immediately – one group tackled cleaning walls, doors, windows and wiping down our shelter kitchen and childrens’ toys. Another group painted our Learning Center while still another did yard work. A final group painted our Food 4 Kids building and prepared one of the main walls for a mural. Forest High School fine arts teacher John Yakulavich was recruited to personally design and paint the mural. His theme, ‘Jesus loves the little children’ was a perfect fit (pictured right). Realtor Betty Stallone said, “This is my third event this year, and third ‘Red Day’ as a volunteer.” Betty has been with Keller Williams since 2006. Joel Weldon, Music Director for Christ The King Church, brought a large BBQ cooker, and provided a great meal for all the volunteers and staff. “I enjoy volunteering to cook for special projects like Keller Williams Red Day,” said Joel. Thanks so much to everyone that gave so generously of their time and talents! Special Gifts In MEMORY of: Jim Contento By: Celine Mack Sue Turner By: Ruth Albright Les Foster By: Susan Greiner Ana Dunwoody Dorothy Thompson Ann and Bobby Richardson Jerry and Dee Brown Sandy and Robin McBride Dr Jim Casey Marian Calcagni By: Susan Greiner Ann and Bobby Richardson Mack Dunwoody By: Ana Dunwoody Al Magruder Helen Wildy By: Patricia Bishop Bill Avera By: Frances and Brent Malever Becky Nation Sue and John Brawner Wayland and Jean Hogan Inge Trupovnieks By: Barbara Trupovnieks Henricus Verberk Harry Boyko By: Dennis and Nancy Straiter J Alvis Cameron By: Rupert and Anne Caviness Janet A Foreman By: Wood Group Mustang, Inc Ethel Dudley Carol O’Neil By: Keith and Carolyn Fender George and Mira Shwery By: Esther Hott Tommy Craggs By: Rupert and Anne Caviness Ann and Bobby Richardson Wayland and Jean Hogan Laura Humbel Michael Morgan By: Frank and Pamela Stafford Our Thanks Goes To... In MEMORY of: Judge Bill Swigert By: Ann and Bobby Richardson Jerry and Dee Brown Phyllis Campbell By: Ruth Albright Horace Camp, Sr By: Elaine Camp Paul Nugent By: Jerry and Dee Brown A big thank you to Steve Hawter and the Twilight Cruisers for their recent food drive. Thanks to Alarion Bank for their food drive during May and June! Their commitment to helping feed families in Marion County is awesome! Bob Jones By: Robert and Marcia Jones In HONOR of: Cruz Yearwood By: Theresa and Robert Weech Cathy Wittman By: PEO Sisterhood Chapter CT A huge thank you to GPI for donating office furniture and a 14 x 16 shed to Interfaith. And another thank you goes to Handi House of Ocala Spc. David Scott, serving in US Army in for delivering the shed to us for free! Community Afganistan partners coming together create an amazing Ruth Henderson blessing! By: Keith and Carolyn Fender Team Interfaith Donald G Camp participated in By: Elaine Camp the Mayor’s Clean Up Day! Thanks Would you like to honor a loved one? to this awesome The individual honored or their family crew: Bill, Karla, will receive a letter of acknowledgement. Paulette, John & Please contact Phyllis for more info at Lorita. 629-8868x30 or [email protected]. Floyd and Connie Salser By: GRWC Greater Ocala Woman’s Club Feeding Children in Marion County We would like to encourage you to get involved in an event called “Feeding Children Everywhere.” This organization brings in food and supplies that allows a group of volunteers to yield 20,000 HEALTHY meals for children in one day! These events are fun and really help our food pantry and Food 4 Kids ministries. Currently we have a church that is interested but would like to partner with a couple of other churches to host the event. The cost of the event is $5,000 which comes out to 25 cents per meal (what a deal!). But for many churches that’s difficult. However, if several churches pulled together to raise the funds this is a real possibility and a great way to feed children in Marion County. If we’ve peaked your interest, please take a minute to watch a couple of the videos on their website: www.feedingchildreneverywhere. com. If you’re interested in hosting an event or partnering with other local churches please contact Karla at 629-8868 or [email protected]. Central Christian Church under the pastorate of Doug Reed and Chuck Gaj hosted an event for us earlier this year and it was such a blessing and the event itself was just plain FUN! Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and check out the website for more information. Through Feeding Children Everywhere, we can be sure that we are doing our part in feeding children in Marion County! Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit #243 Ocala, FL 34478 P.O. Box 992 • Ocala, FL 34478 IES Board of Directors Paul Anderson Shep Dozier Pastor Susan Gray Scott Hackmyer Mary Lou James, Secretary James Kuse, President Kevin McDonald Pastor Renee Moore Bill Quinn Sandy Sanders Linda Ross Werth Wesley Wheeler Karla Grimsley, Chief Executive Officer Check out our website at www.IESmarion.org MISSION STATEMENT Interfaith Emergency Services is a community of faith called by God to offer emergency assistance without judgment to all persons in Marion County. Interfaith Grateful for Community’s Outpouring by David Creek We are constantly in awe of the ways God works, both in His providence as well as in the hearts of those who have surrendered them to His influence. Interfaith is a place where you will have no difficulty finding smiles on any given day. But after May’s Mail Carriers Food Drive, those smiles have been bigger! When speaking of the annual event, CEO Karla Grimsley said, “This is one of my favorite days of the year! I get all emotional as I drive to Interfaith and see all the bags on the mail boxes. It reminds me that people really are caring.” By last count God provided 125,300 pounds of food at our downtown location. About 50,000 pounds will be distributed to other agencies, and the remaining food will go directly to Interfaith clients. Thomas Curtis, Warehouse Manager said, “It’s such a moving sight to see a crowded warehouse with volunteers busily sorting food around the clock and food donations literally reaching the ceilings, but the reality is, with the growing need and number of clients we see each week, that food will last us 8 to 10 weeks. That’s why we will continue to ask for food drives throughout the year.” From the bottom of our hearts we wish to thank all the postal workers for working so hard (and joyfully) to assist us once again, generating a renewed meaning to the phrase “going postal.” We also thank all our hard working volunteers who sacrificed their Saturday to unload the mail trucks, some even using their own vehicles to make pick ups. And finally, a big thank you to everyone who made donations large or small - it’s all large and it’s going to the blessing of countless people to the glory of God. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLI NG TOLL FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.