As I write, the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is turning our caring community, the rest of our state, country and world into stress-filled and elusive hot spots of rising case numbers. I so wish it were not true, but unfortunately, it is impossible to deny. Especially when our nonprofit’s mission is as essential as Interfaith Assistance Ministry’s work to provide crisis services.

We feed hungry children. We feed their parents. We feed frail grandmas and grandpas. We clothe growing babies, toddlers, children, teenagers and adults. We help break the cycle of poverty that leads to new homeless residents of Henderson County, whenever possible. We help prevent heatstroke in the summer, help kids do their homework and keep families warm in the winter by helping pay overdue power, gas and heating fuel bills.

IAM helps ensure those we serve are well equipped with personal hygiene and cleaning needs. We provide gasoline vouchers and bus tickets when a neighbor in need lacks transportation. We provide translators for Latino families who need assistance and Latino foods. And because of the rapidly rising cases of Delta-related COVID, we restarted our partnership with the Council on Aging to provide a week’s worth of emergency food, traditional or Latino foods, to families and individuals who are quarantined with COVID and lack transportation.

Now, as we head back into more uncertain times with the ongoing pandemic, please be assured that the staff, volunteers, and dedicated board members at IAM will continue to find safe and efficient ways to serve our community. The challenges we face as an organization have never been greater. That said, we remain resolute in our commitment to our mission. We are determined to continue meeting that challenge so children and adults don’t suffer.

Thanks to the caring hearts of our volunteers, staff and donors, we provide hands that lift people up and work hard to catch families and individuals who would otherwise fall through the cracks into the pain-filled ranks of those who live at or below the poverty line. Thanks to all who have gotten vaccinated to help slow the spread of the ever-more threatening variants of the coronavirus.

Because of you dear friends, IAM has thrived through its first 36 years. As we face another time of emotionally and physically draining service during this second and even scarier round of COVID, we ask you to please give again – or for the first time – to our 2021 IAM COVID Challenge. We just had to cancel our only in-person 2021 fundraising event so we don’t contribute to spreading this more contagious variant that is now affecting local residents in their 30s and 40s and their children.

Please help us help our neighbors in greatest need. Thank you for your generous support of IAM and our mission.

Blessings,