Non-Profit Client Spotlight: Interfaith Assistance Ministry
In today’s polarized world, it is refreshing to hear of a faith-based non-profit that, as part of their mission, respects “all beliefs". Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM), organized originally by local churches, the synagogue and the Hendersonville Ministerial Association, is exactly that: an interfaith non-profit organization that believes in diversity and nondiscrimination providing assistance to Henderson County residents since 1984.
IAM is not a government welfare agency funded with tax dollars. Rather, they depend on support from individuals, businesses, civic service organizations, local congregations and grants to help those who are experiencing financial crises. Further, as a local nonprofit that does not answer to a national headquarters, donations remain in their entirety in Henderson County.
n April Dolph Diamond, station manager for WFHC-FM 106.5 in Hendersonville and WFHC-FM 104.7 in Asheville, donated his stimulus check, kicking off the start of the IAM Stimulus Check Challenge to raise funds to help local children and adults struggling due to the COVID-19 Pandemic—to date they have raised $ 385,608 for this cause!
Says Elizabeth Moss, Executive Director, "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community. Despite the pandemic, people have continued to donate food, clothes and school supplies, and their financial contributions to IAM have been exceptional. The generosity showed by everyone supporting IAM's mission allows us to continue to help our neighbors in need during a time when those needs are greater than we've ever experienced."
A recipient of the Charity Navigator 4 Star Award, IAM has gathered some pretty impressive statistics as they go about their mission of “assisting members of our community experiencing crisis with basic needs in an atmosphere of compassion and respect”. Just in the year 2019:
- 13,816 neighbors received assistance
- 10,709 neighbors received food (224,889 meals)
- 1,450 neighbors received holiday meals for a total of 226,339
- 5,226 neighbors received clothing
- 672 families received heating/utilities assistance
- 573 children received school supplies
- 189 families received rental/mortgage assistance
- 56 neighbors received crisis prescription assistance
With their motto of ‘Helping hands, caring hearts’, IAM runs several funds you can donate to, including funds for residents of Henderson County working to attain a life-changing goal but facing difficulties because of financial limitations; endowments and planned giving, in-kind donations (including garden produce and new or "gently used" clothing, blankets, sheets, towels and shoes) and of course the COVID-19 relief fund. Find out more here.
