The Strength of Shared Beliefs

An Economic Shift Underway

2012-01-17T15:39:00.000-06:00

I have some good news about the economy. IM received 10,000 gifts in 2011, the most in the history of our organization. Furthermore, the average gifts we received in December, 2011 almost doubled in value compared to the gifts we received in December, 2010. This tells me two things: First, IM's story is resonating with more people, particularly the work we are doing with seniors through Meals on Wheels. Second, I think sentiments towards economic stability have tipped into the favorable range. That's good news for organizations like IM, all of Houston and the entire country.

Thank you all for helping IM have its most successful fundraising year in its history in 2011. We take your support to be a solemn trust - between you and us. Our job is to feed thousands of homebound seniors; resettle hundreds of refugees; assure that the faith community is ready for any emergency and that its needs are met as well; and finally we bring people of all faiths together to do lasting good by building connections based on mutual respect and trust.

IM is a critical piece of the puzzle that makes Houston such a fine place to live. We take our individual strengths and combine them to create something quite unique. It's hard to put in simple words; but I am convinced that the tapestry that we help create makes our community more vibrant, more accepting, more willing to tackle big issues.

Your support gives us the courage and resources to keep doing our part. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

IM EVENT

Please join us for the Interfaith Women's Retreat that's coming up February 24-26 at Camp Allen. The retreat is called "Love Thyself" and brings women of different faiths together for an intimate weekend to examine beliefs and views as it applies to body, mind and spirit. Find out more information here.

Talk to you in two weeks.

Elliot Gershenson

President and CEO

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Tuesday Memo - Happy Holidays

2011-12-13T10:52:00.000-06:00

Greetings!

I spent much of this past Sunday volunteering with a group from my synagogue at SEARCH, one of Houston's great homeless organizations. We made sandwiches for the next day's lunch, sorted all sorts of clothes and wrapped a lot of gifts for homeless kids. We learned that, thankfully, hundreds of people are stopping by SEARCH offering gifts and clothes as the holiday spirit moves them to seek out ways to help.

I was asked what was going on at IM. I told them we have the same outpouring of love - lots of companies, congregations and individuals are stopping by dropping off gifts for our seniors and refugee kids. It is quite something to watch. Houstonians are just so friendly and full of caring hearts. I used to think it was a miracle, and maybe it is, but more likely it is just something that makes our hometown special.

I don't share the same worries that some have about losing sight of the meaning of the Holidays. Sure, there's a lot of focus on gifts and such, and frankly without that our economy would sink further into the pits. But what I see every day reminds me that thousands of good folks who make Houston home have found a balance between the consumer and the spiritual side of Christmas, Hanukkah and all the other holidays that fall around this time of year.

This month alone IM will receive hundreds, if not thousands of small gifts (like blankets, scarves, slippers and playing cards for our seniors; and small toys and even bikes for our newest refugee kids); and we will receive more than 1000 monetary gifts from as little as $5 all the way up to many thousands. Last December we received just over 1,500 such gifts.

Multiply this by the hundreds of organizations that are receiving a similar outpouring of love and you see that so many of us know that the hole in our hearts is filled by taking an extra step or two to think about others in this time of joy. Maybe that's what makes it so joyful.

So don't fret, my friends. I don't think many of you have forgotten what Christmas or any of the other holidays are about. There are just too many of you who know that the best expression of love is when you share it with others - those close and those in need of someone's loving touch. There are lots of places for you to play Santa - here at IM and so many others. Just find the ones that fit you best and your holiday will be that much more complete.

May the season's holidays be Holy for you all. And may 2012 bring us peace and even better times than the year that will soon pass.

IM Thank Yous

· Thank you to CenterPoint Energy and Houston SPCA for hosting the Holiday aniMeals Pet Food drive that goes until December 14^th. Click here to learn how you can donate!

· The Houston Holiday Tweet Drive is on December 15^th and will collect toys and books for our refugee children. Enjoy a great time while giving back. Click here to learn more.

Talk to you next year!

Elliot Gershenson

President and CEO

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Houston Holiday Tweet Drive Tweet-Up

2011-12-12T09:13:00.001-06:00

Join us Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m. at the Caroline Collective for the Houston Tweet Drive Tweet-Up! Help brighten this holiday season for Houston’s children in need by bringing a new toy or book.

Good people. Good times. GREAT cause.

Toy donations will benefit Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

Food Sponsors: Oh My! Pocket Pies and Good Dog Hot Dogs.

Beverage Sponsors: St. Arnold Brewing Company, Beaver's and My TX Spirits.

Entertainment: Extra Life Houston and Smilebooth

Music: Mason Lankford, Shellee Coley and Andrew Karnavas.

Register to be a Tweet Drive Twelf here.

aniMeals on Wheels: Holiday Pet Food Drive

2011-12-07T08:58:00.000-06:00

CenterPoint Energy and Houston SPCA will host a holiday pet food drive to collect cat and dog food for Interfaith Ministries’ aniMeals on Wheels program November 30- December 14th.
The program relies completely on donations and dog and cat food (both wet and dry) are needed.

Houstonians can drop off dog and cat food at the following locations for the Holiday Pet Food Drive:

Houston SPCA
Monday- Friday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
3217 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006

CenterPoint Energy
Monday – Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the following locations:
1111 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002
333 Ward Rd. Baytown, TX 77520
4300 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401

18018 Huffmeister Rd, Cypress, TX 77429
10010 FM 1960, Humble, TX 77338
4011 Avenue H., Rosenberg, TX 77471
5431 Highway Blvd., Katy, TX 77494
502 27th St. Galveston, TX 77550
4700 S Shaver St., Houston, TX 77034
2301 Gears Rd., Houston, TX 77067
3401 Brittmoore Rd., Houston, TX 77043
3000 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston, TX 77003
13300 W Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77099
12045 S Main St., Houston, TX 77035

If you are unable to donate dog or cat food, Interfaith Ministries will purchase product on your behalf. For approximately $180, you can feed a pet for a full year.

To donate online visit: https://www.imgh.org/donate/donate-now

For more information on the aniMeals program click here.