IAM eNewsletter
Spring 2021
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From The Executive Director
Elizabeth Willson Moss
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Dear Friends,
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus’s unwanted injection into our lives, I find myself reflecting on the blessings and acts of kindness Interfaith Assistance Ministry has received.
Your generosity and compassion made it possible for IAM to make it through 2020, not just somehow, but triumphantly. Your support enabled us to provide more than 26,000 crisis service touches to children and adults last year. That is nearly double the 13,851 services we provided in 2019.
Our year-end service statistics tell the story of the most challenging year IAM has faced since opening in 1984 to serve local residents in financial crisis. (Please read about the unprecedented increases in need for services in detail below.)
What do these huge increases in service show? They show:
- That the most vulnerable residents of Henderson County have been hit hard by the insidious coronavirus.
- That more people than we have ever seen before are hungry.
- That prevention of new homelessness through IAM’s rent and/or mortgage assistance, paid directly to landlords, is needed more than ever.
- That the need for IAM’s utility bill assistance, made directly to utilities, is soaring.
- That thousands of local residents, hurting through job losses, reductions in business hours and loss of hours caused by COVID-19 illness will continue to need IAM’s help with basic needs in 2021.
- That the need for our Drive-Thru Tuesdays, which provide barely surviving residents with nutritious food, personal hygiene items, pet food, masks and periodic distribution of coats, warm clothing, blankets, is great. (170-200 families participate each week).
Because no one truly knows when it will be safe to gather in large numbers again for fundraising events, we are launching our COVID Challenge 2021. Our stimulus check challenge in 2020 provided vital support to IAM. We hope this year’s new challenge will do the same.
If you really don’t need your stimulus checks, your tax returns or even your Social Security check, please donate those extra dollars to IAM. Your donations stay right here in Henderson County. Your gifts feed the hungry, prevent power disconnections, evictions and illness caused by poor nutrition, living in substandard conditions and suffering from cold weather.
On behalf of the thousands of hurting local residents we assist, thank you for giving back to IAM in 2021. Please join me in celebrating the generosity and compassion of our amazing community. Imagine a giant group hug – masked, of course.
Stay safe and strong,
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While there is optimism that the COVID-19 pandemic will 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 find the resources to feed their families, pay their mortgage/rent so they can stay in their home and pay household bills like utilities, auto maintenance and medical costs.
To help meet these growing needs, IAM is launching our 2021 COVID Challenge and 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.
Mail your donations to:
PO Box 2562
Hendersonville, NC 28793
or
donate online at
Thank you for your continued and compassionate contributions
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Volunteer Spotlight: Walter Mills |
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Walter Mills is a faithful and amazing Tuesday morning food pantry volunteer.
Walter first graced our doors with his smile and kindness 23 years ago and has been a mainstay at IAM ever since. When not spreading joy at IAM, Walter enjoys bowling, gardening, and going to church.
Our IAM staff recently gathered to celebrate Walter’s 88th birthday!
Thank you, Walter!
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Meet Our Social Services Heros |
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IAM’s Social Services Department is the frontline of our of efforts to help neighbors facing financial crisis. Leading the effort to find ways to assist as many residents as possible are Social Services Managers Emily McDuffy (R) and Betsy Logan.
Working with our staff and volunteer team, Emily and Betsy are tasked with figuring out how to allocate available resources to help people trying to pay their rent/mortgage, utility bills, medical bills, and transportation expenses. They also initiate all food and clothing orders.
Emily has worked at IAM for 10 years and jokes that she “retired” to IAM after a career in the mental health field. Betsy started at IAM as a pantry and clothing department volunteer and spent time as an IMA receptionist before her skills made her an obvious choice to tackle the many demands of our Social Services Department.
Although the job is very demanding and stressful at times, they both appreciate the opportunity to help our neighbors. “It is a blessing to work with our staff and volunteers to find ways to make a big difference in people’s lives,” says Emily. Betsy agrees, “We all have the same goal at IAM. We all want to help people.”
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Despite incredible challenges, IAM continued to serve the growing needs of our community. With your support we accomplished the following:
All Services: 26,475 service touches compared to 13,851 in 2019. A 91% increase.
Food: 23,930 food orders (503,530 meals) compared to 10,715 food orders (225,015 meals) in 2019.
Rent/Housing Assistance: Assisted 728 individuals in 2020 compared to 528 in 2019; a 73% increase. Spending on rent: $126,972 in 2020 compared to $54,021 in 2019, a 135% increase.
Heat & Utilities: Assisted 1,503 in 2020; spending $152,306 compared to $88,382 in 2019; a 135% increase.
Clothing Orders: Clothed 1,933 children and adults plus thousands distributed during Drive-Thru Tuesdays despite halting distribution for several months due to the pandemic.
Transportation: Increased assistance to provide full tanks of gas during pandemic.
Volunteers: 20,508 volunteer hours in 2020, down dramatically from 41,000 service hours in 2019 because of the pandemic. Still represents at least a half million dollars worth of savings.
New Initiatives in 2020: Drive-Thru Tuesdays and
Coronavirus Food Delivery Project: Partnering with Council on Aging to deliver food to families quarantined with Covid-19 and have no other food resources.
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Our unprecedented level of service in 2020 was made possible by the generous support of our amazing community of individuals, business partners, grantors, and congregations.
This year will see as many, if not more, neighbors requesting our assistance. Please consider a gift to IAM to help us continue to meet the needs of our friends who continue to struggle with the impact of the pandemic.
Thank You!
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IAM has a new website!
We are excited to announce the launch of our new website. Find all our latest news and updates at:
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Sue Hassett, retired IAM Volunteer Manager, has returned to our part-time staff to serve as an Associate “floater” filling critical needs in all areas of IAM operations. Welcome back, Sue! We are thrilled to have you back on the team.
Tommy Brendel joined IAM in January to serve as part-time Operations Assistant in our Food Assistance Department and wherever else he is needed. Tommy also plays trombone for the Hendersonville Swing Band. Welcome, Tommy!
Welcome, Sue and Tommy!
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Drive-Thru Tuesdays: 17,000+ Served |
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Since its inception in June 2020, our Drive-Thru Tuesday events have provided healthy food, hygiene products, pet food, clothes, and hope to over 4000 families representing 17,000+ individuals in Henderson County.
We continue to see 150 to 200 families each Tuesday and the effects of the pandemic continue to challenge our neighbors in need.
Thanks to all our donors and volunteers that make this critical program possible.
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Meet IAM's Newest 2021 Board Members |
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Feliciano Botello, Latinx Community Leader, teacher at Immaculata Catholic School and former Hispanic Pastoral Associate for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Adriana Chavela, founder and executive director of Hola Carolina, an online Latino/Latina magazine, that serves as a critical voice to the diversity of Henderson County.
Noelle McKay, a Resource Development and Marketing consultant, former executive director of Housing Assistance Corp. and grant writer.
Christa Wiley, co-owner of The 2nd Act coffee shop and eatery in downtown Hendersonville, Realtor and owner of WNC Management Properties.
Welcome to IAM!
Welcome to IAM and thank you for your willingness to serve!
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Current Pantry and Clothing Needs |
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Pantry Requests:
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Canned Chicken
Bagged Salad
Salad Dressing
Spaghetti Sauce
Toilet Paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Plastic Grocery Bags
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Clothing Needs
IAM is temporarily suspending acceptance of clothing donations until March 22 to make a seasonal switch in our clothing inventory.
Please check our website for updates on or around the 22nd.
Thank you!
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Donations can be dropped off at our facilities at 310 Freeman Street off Four Seasons Blvd near Blue Ridge Mall. Please call 828-697-7029 ext. 1131 with questions or for directions. |
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Services and Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 10 a.m.—4 p.m.
Tues 10—2:30 p.m.
Drive-Thru Tuesday Food Distribution
Tues 3– 5:30 p.m.
IAM Administrative Hours
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Tues: 9 a.m.—2:30 p.m.
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Thank You for All You Do for IAM! |
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Interfaith Assistance Ministry
PO Box 2562
Hendersonville, NC 28793
Phone: (828) 697-7029
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Donations can be dropped off at our facilities at 310 Freeman Street off Four Seasons Blvd near Blue Ridge Mall. Please call 828-697-7029 ext. 1131 with questions or for directions. |
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