Fans Needed to Keep Seniors Cool

The City of Houston has seen record heat these past few summers, and this one doesn't look to provide any relief for our seniors. Seniors are the most at risk from the heat during this time of the year, and we're looking to help our many Meals on Wheels clients with no A/C or proper cooling systems in their homes.

We check in on our seniors daily when we deliver their meals; many of them are isolated from friends and family in their homes and have no means to go out and purchase fans on their own. As temperatures rise, please consider dropping off a box fan at Interfaith Ministries (3217 Montrose Blvd.) so we can distribute it to an area senior. Click here to order one from amazon.com and here to visit our in-kind donation board on Pinterest.

For more information, contact Denise Atkerson at datkerson@imgh.org or (713) 533-4922.  

Summertime Volunteering for Kids and Families

School is out, temperatures are rising, and the every parent is beginning to hear the troubling words "I'm Bored!!!"

That means Summer time is here.  This is a perfect time to gather as a family and volunteer to help others in need.  Not only will your kids have fun, but they'll lean the value of helping other people who are less fortunate.

There are lots of volunteer opportunities in your own community.  Plan a day to clean your up your block, help beautify a senior’s home, community center, or a park. More volunteer opportunities for Houston are listed here.

No matter how you volunteer, start with a plan, and have a goal in mind.  Take Aiden for example.  He is a second grader who had a goal to deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors.

Aiden and his family learned about Meals on Wheels through a family friend. His father Karim decided to go on a Meals on Wheels delivery route and took Aiden along, giving warm meals to seniors in need.  “It made me feel good to see the people happy and smile when I gave them the meal,” Aiden said.  They had such a great time that Aiden and his father decided to do a fundraiser for IM’s Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston.  Aiden sent handwritten notes to friends, family and neighbors explaining he wanted to help raise money for Meals on Wheels.  “I thought for sure I could raise $500 and I raised more, about $570,”Aiden added proudly.   

Would you like to work as a family to help IM this summer?  Here are more great volunteer opportunities, especially for youth. 

·         Volunteer with your family or youth group to deliver pet food to our Meals on Wheels seniors with pets each month.

·         Assist with ESL classes or provide homework help to refugee youth.

·         Join a group to clean up a senior’s yard, paint a porch or help with indoor projects.

·         Volunteer at Meals on Wheels’ Central Site helping count, pack and load meals with drivers and deliver pre-packaged hot meals to homebound seniors during midday hours.

Contact Rina Chandarana John rcjohn@imgh.org for more information: 713-533-4948

Tuesday Memo - Volunteerism and Values

Greetings,

You may know that last week was national Volunteer Appreciation Week and here at IM we celebrate volunteers all throughout April - well actually all year long.  We are proud that so many folks choose to volunteer at IM and elsewhere.  Volunteering really makes a big difference for non-profits, as all the hours donated make our services that much more affordable.

But in truth, I believe that volunteering adds another important component to the work we and others do.  When someone volunteers he or she is served along with the clients they help.  Most of us have a desire to serve - to give back for the blessings we have.  One way is to give money - and yes every non-profit needs money to pay for the goods and services they provide.  But giving back through volunteerism fills a spiritual need that many of us have - to do God's work here on Earth.  A component of all of our great faith traditions is to be Holy - and when one volunteers one gets to taste a bit of heaven here on Earth.

So thank you for volunteering - whether it is for IM or elsewhere.  Every act of kindness you do touches someone in need.  This is a classic "win-win" where the recipient and the giver get an equal dose of love.  We at IM are thankful to the hundreds of volunteers who help us with feeding seniors and their pets; welcoming refugees to Houston; assuring that folks are helped during disasters; bringing people together for meaningful dialogue; and helping IM make good decisions.  We are very appreciative to all those who serve on our Board of Directors, committees and task forces.  We would not be a great organization without all of your support.

THINGS ARE HOPPING AT IM

• For our refugees, we are sponsoring a "Second Hand for a Second Chance" donation drive April 29^th and 30^th here at IM. We need clothing, kitchen items, furniture and other housewares.  Click here to find out how you can help.
• The next Women's Spiritual Gathering is scheduled for April 28^th hosted by Zoroastrian community.  These gatherings are very special and provide a unique experience for women who are seeking to learn about women of many faiths.  There is no charge and you can register by clicking here.
• The Tapestry Gala is scheduled for May 3^rd and there are still a few seats left to purchase.  The Gala is exactly two weeks away and if you've never attended let me make one promise:  you will be amazed at the diversity of people and music that makes this evening so magical.  If you'd like to attend click here for more information.
  

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Every so often I find a cartoon that not only strikes my funny-bone, but hits a chord.  I was actually saddened by this cartoon even as I laughed a bit.  IM's tag-line is the strengths of shared beliefs - it could easily be the strength of shared values.  We are in our 42^nd year and it is my hope that we haven't been jaded by time, which is ever so easy to have happen.

How many of us wonder if we still have any of the enthusiasm and hopes of our youth?  How many of us have been beaten down by the real world?  I am guessing most of us experience some moments when we ask ourselves where our optimism has gone.

Houston's Souper Bowl of Caring

Usually on Super Bowl Sunday you will find groups of high school students feasting on a platter of wings and partying with their friends.  But this year there are some unique teenagers organized by Interfaith Ministries’ Youth Council who are doing something extraordinary.  They are taking part in Houston’s Souper Bowl of Caring, which collects food and or money, and gives 100% of those items to fight hunger and poverty in Houston.

The Youth Council needs volunteers to accomplishing this mission.  Join the Houston Food Bank and the Houston Texans in this city wide effort to help tackle hunger.  Click here to register to volunteer for a two hour shift at the Kroger's on 3300 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006.  February 6, 2011.   

Reliant Helps Seniors Prepare for Hurricane

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Thanks Reliant Energy

A big “Thank You” to Reliant Energy for helping our Meals on Wheels seniors get prepared for hurricane season! Reliant helped deliver non-perishable food boxes and hurricane guides in addition to their regular meal. For more on the news coverage on this event, click here.

Meals on Wheels seniors are home-bound and need help preparing for a disaster. Reliant Energy and IM are dedicated to making sure Houston seniors are well informed about hurricanes and other disasters. Visit the press release here for more information on the partnership.