February Mission Focus
St. Mark’s has been a long-time partner of Interfaith Hospitality Network, the hallmark program of Family Promise. IHN is a coordinated response of the faith community that provides emergency food & shelter, offers individual skill development & rehabilitation, advocates for economic stability and strives to end homelessness for the guests they serve. Each congregation in the network takes turns furnishing overnight lodging and meals during their assigned week, several times each year. Our role as volunteers is fundamental to this program – we can make a difference by offering dignified compassionate assistance to families who have lost their homes.
Financial donations to Family Promise may be given using the link below or using the mission envelope in the Sunday bulletin. You may also help by donating twin-size blankets, new pillows, baby wipes or petroleum jelly. These donations may be placed in a bin inside Door #2 at St. Mark’s.
Volunteer needs include:
- Dinner hosts (5-8 p.m.)
- Meal prep (deliver meal to church by 5 p.m.)
- Provide breakfast & lunch food
- Overnight hosts (8 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
- Set up or tear down (Sunday)
- Transportation – (drive IHN van between St. Mark’s and the Day Center)
- Laundry
Family Promise by the Numbers across the U.s. (2016)
6,000 Congregations providing 170,000 Volunteers
More than 50,000 served annually; 700,000 served since founding
76% served find housing within 9 weeks
60% of those served are children, most under the age of 6
