MANSFIELD — Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) of Greater Mansfield has a new place to call home.
Previously located at First United Methodist Church, Love INC is now housed in Community Bible Church. A grand opening was held Thursday to unveil its new location.
Deedra Shilliday, executive director, believes the new space to be well-suited to Love INC’s needs, noting, “There’s potential for growth.”
Love INC is a clearinghouse and coordinator of ministries for area churches to support those in need.
“Our job is to mobilize the churches so that they can meet the needs,” Shilliday said.
Love INC receives requests for help by phone from churches, pastors, agencies and individuals in need.
“We’re a clearinghouse that verifies needs so that the churches can meet those needs knowing that they’re legitimate,” Shilliday said. “We’re the screening process.”
Trained volunteers screen the request to determine the need’s legitimacy and extent and to discover any deeper issues fueling the crisis.
The request is referred to the most appropriate Love INC partner church, agency or faith-based organization to meet the need.
Afterwards, Love INC reviews the outcome to see if the need was met and if there is a core issue that requires more attention. The follow-up also provides an opportunity for the recipients to become connected to a local church if they desire.
Love INC partners with 13 area churches, along with several faith-based organizations. Shilliday said they hope to form partnerships with local businesses and more churches throughout the area to broaden their scope.
Partners of Love INC have been able to provide people with items such as bath towels, bed linens, cleaning supplies, dog and cat food, food items, furniture, gas cards, handmade quilts, kitchen linens, medical equipment, personal care products and kitchenware.
In 2015, Love INC had 1,969 incoming calls, 998 church referrals, 757 adult beneficiaries and 350 children beneficiaries. So far this year, there have been 766 incoming calls, 192 church referrals, 165 adult beneficiaries and 69 children beneficiaries.
Tiffany Montgomery, who serves as Love INC board member with her husband Dustin, described a few instances in which Love INC has been able to help people.
She said a few months ago, a woman who got out of an abusive relationship asked for a bed and a couch.
“Since she left that relationship, she had nothing. She was starting from scratch,” Montgomery said.
In addition to helping connect her to the right ministry partner that could provide assistance, Montgomery said, “I was able to pray with her over the phone and just encourage her.”
There was another situation involving a man who had recently lost his job and was asking for a gas card so he could drive to a job interview in Columbus. Montgomery said they were able to help him get a gas card and later found out that he landed the job.
“That was really exciting,” Montgomery said.
Call 419-522-1432 for assistance, or if interested in volunteering.
Love INC is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
