IAM's Migrant Farm Families Support Project |
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IAM launched The Migrant Farm Families Support Project in May 2021, led by IAM’s Latino Outreach Coordinator, Belem Solano. The project is a partnership between IAM, the Henderson County Public Schools Migrant Education Program and the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. Its goal is to provide more support for the seasonal migrant workers and their families who arrive in Henderson County in the spring and stay until late fall, working primarily in agriculture.
Our migrant farmer families have many needs. Few have independent transportation. They work long days (some work seven days a week). Many have little to no knowledge of the area and its existing support systems. Many lack enough nutritious food and clothing for themselves and their children. This collaboration has allowed IAM to provide: Weekly nutritious food deliveries to the families; clothing, shoes, work boots, new underwear and socks; bed and bath items; personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies.
In the first month of this initiative, IAM has helped our migrant partners provide these basic needs to 162 underserved individuals. We look forward to continuing this vital program to assist families that are such important contributors to the success of our local farms.
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IAM is excited to work with Israel Olivares (left), Migrant Education Program Outreach Specialist with Henderson County Public Schools. IAM's Belem Solano (center) is leading our efforts to reach out to the many migrant farmers and families in Henderson County. IAM Board Member, Alfredo Oviedo (right), is an important resource in all of IAM's efforts to connect with our Latino neighbors. |
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Join the IAM COVID Challenge 2021
Make a Difference in our Neighbors' Lives
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While there is optimism that the COVID-19 pandemic may be controlled in 2021, the economic hardship caused by this unprecedented time will continue to impact our neighbors in need for a long, long time. Local residents continue to struggle to feed their families, pay their rent or mortgage so they can stay in their home, pay household bills like utilities and heating fuel, buy gasoline for their vehicles and clothing for growing children.
To help meet these growing needs, IAM has launched our 2021 COVID Challenge and is asking our generous supporters to help us meet the rising tide of need in Henderson County.
Your heartfelt contribution to IAM will make an extraordinary difference in the lives of those who are struggling — right now when they need it the most. Thank you for sharing your tax return refunds and other funds to help local residents who are burdened by the intense stresses of living in a constant state of desperate need.
Mail your donations to:
PO Box 2562
Hendersonville, NC 28793
or
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Thank You for your Continued Compassionate Giving |
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IAM's Food and Clothing Needs for July |
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Thank you for your continued and compassionate contributions! |
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Join the IAM Team! Current Job Openings |
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We have two job openings currently. If you know someone with great organizational skills and a heart for helping neighbors in need, please let them know we are looking for new team members!
We are seeking a part-time Intake Manager, and part or full-time Food Assistance Department Manager(s).
Click on the button below for detailed job descriptions, requested qualifications, and how to apply.
Thank you for helping us find great new team members!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Gary Lambert |
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This month IAM says so long and "Thank you!" to our wonderful volunteer, Gary Lambert.
Gary has been with IAM for nearly 10 years and worked primarily as an Intake Interviewer during that time. He and his wife are moving to a retirement community in Tryon and Gary plans to continue his volunteer commitment with an organization very similar to IAM called Thermal Belt Outreach in Polk County.
Gary volunteered with IAM on the advice of a neighbor. “She thought that I’d really enjoy volunteering at IAM and she was right! I’ve been blessed to be a volunteer here,” he says. He will miss the camaraderie at IAM and the chance to work directly with people needing some assistance. “I enjoyed helping them solve their immediate needs and hopefully giving them some assistance to avoid future issues.”
Although Gary is leaving, he is still very supportive of IAM’s mission. “IAM is unique in that we are so aligned with nearly 80 different organizations to which we can refer our neighbors for a wide variety of programs and services. It’s not just what we can do here at IAM, it’s what we can do to help our neighbors find the right organization to assist them.”
IAM is incredibly grateful for Gary’s selfless service over the course of the past decade and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Thank you, Gary!
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Jake Patterson: Morehead-Cain Scholar |
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Huge congratulations to our Hendersonville High School volunteer, Jake Patterson. Jake has helped out in the IAM pantry since 2019 and this spring was awarded the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship by UNC-Chapel Hill We will miss his smiling face and helping hands but are excited to watch as he goes on to the next big thing. Congratulations, Jake! |
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Welcome Back to our Neighbors! |
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This past month IAM welcomed neighbors back into our facility for the first time in over a year! We helped them select grocery items, pick out clothes, and work with our staff to find ways through difficult financial circumstances. It felt good to be face to face with our neighbors again and experience firsthand the gift of helping others. |
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Heartfelt Thanks To Our Grantors |
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IAM is very grateful to have received a generous grant of $8,000 from the Hunger Committee of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. We are very appreciative of their affirmation of our work under difficult circumstances during the pandemic. |
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Thank you to the City of Hendersonville for their recent $10,000 special appropriation to IAM. We are proud to partner with the City in efforts to help alleviate the stress of financial challenges and food insecurity in Hendersonville and Henderson County.
Working together, we can make a real difference in people's lives. Thank you!
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Welcome Terri Thompson: Thrift Store Coordinator |
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IAM is thrilled to welcome Terri Thompson to our team as Thrift Store Coordinator. Terri brings a wealth of knowledge after serving as manager of the Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store for several years.
Terri will be instrumental in helping IAM set up our new store by helping us select items for sale, training store staff and volunteers, and developing a marketing plan for the store.
Please join us in a warm welcome for Terri!
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Celebrating One Year of Drive-Thru Tuesdays!
During the first year of this vital program, IAM distributed food for a week to 6,392 families comprised of 27,602 adults and children. We also gave out 3,394 packages of dog and cat food, 2,381 bundles of diapers, and 3,240 packages of feminine care products.
Drive-Thru Tuesdays continue to be a vital lifeline for many Henderson County residents each Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. Through this initiative, IAM provides families with nutritious food, toilet paper, personal hygiene supplies, pet food, face masks and relief from the stress of food insecurity.
IAM wants to extend a special thank you to all the many volunteers who made this important program possible, as well as our many partner agencies, organizations, and compassionate neighbors who helped us collect, prepare and distribute these essential items for our neighbors in need. Thank you!
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Don't Have Time to Donate Food and Clothes? |
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Because we purchase in bulk and often receive generous discounts from our vendors, your dollars can go even further when you make a direct contribution to IAM. Every dollar you provide helps IAM purchase food for four meals from MANNA FoodBank, our Feeding America partner. |
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Or mail your check to:
IAM | PO Box 2562 | Hendersonville, NC 28793
Thank You!
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Remember IAM in your Planned Giving |
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For details about these contribution strategies, please visit our website at: www.iam-hc/planned-giving or contact interfaith@iam-hc.org Consult your Attorney, Estate Planner, or the Community Foundation of Henderson County regarding these and other related options. Thank you for your generous vision of a better world for all residents of Henderson County.
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IAM Closed July 2nd and July 5th |
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IAM will be closed on Friday, July 2nd and Monday, July 5th in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
We are grateful to live in a country that so often exemplifies the very best of the human spirit through its generosity and compassion for our neighbors facing difficult circumstances.
Happy July 4th to everyone!
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We invite you to follow IAM on Facebook. There you will find up to the minute news and stories about IAM, as well as important information about our current needs.
It's a great way to stay connected and you can share all our posts with your friends.
Click on the Facebook badge below and connect with IAM today!
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Interfaith Assistance Ministry
PO Box 2562
Hendersonville, NC 28793
Phone: (828) 697-7029
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