"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…" Matthew 25:35
We do as Jesus commanded and welcome the needy to our own parish. Joining with other Austin churches and synagogues in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, St. Matthew’s will give food and shelter to several families while they find affordable housing.
The families will spend their evenings with us. Everyone in the parish can participate. Those who did last year will tell you what a life-changing time it was – and just how much fun, too. There could be no better (or more convenient!) way to "Know Christ, Grow in Christ and Share Christ’s Love."
Here’s a summary of information and frequently asked questions:
Where will they shower? This year, we will not have access to the modular youth building where showers and laundry facilities were located. We are working on alternative arrangements.
What’s this all about? Homelessness is on the rise in families because of the gap between wages and rents. Families make up 40% of the homeless. Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) selects families for a 90 day program of training and other assistance. Families are carefully screened, are drug and alcohol and violence free.
IHN works with each family to address their needs and issues. Families usually find housing before the end of the program. In the meantime, local congregations provide shelter, supper, light breakfast and bag lunches.
Who’s in charge? Amy Novak, Sharon Lowe, and Susan Barnes.
Who is coming? Up to four families, all of them with children.
Where are they sleeping? The sleeping and living spaces will be in the Undercroft. The exact rooms depend on the schedule of other parish activities. Interfaith Hospitality Network provides the necessary furnishings.
What do the families do? During the day, from at least 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., they are all away at school, day care, work or job seeking/training. At night, they are at St. Matthew’s.
How can I help?
Above all: VOLUNTEER! Here is a sampling of volunteer roles:
DINNER
VOLUNTEERS
1-2 Dinner Preparers: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - prepare and serve evening meal for
guests and enjoy dinner with them in Huffman Hall. Guests arrive by 6:30 and
dinner should be ready to serve at that time.
EVENING HOSTS
1-2 Evening Hosts: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - eat with the guests and provide
fellowship. Be available to offer assistance and interact with families. Help
with homework, read or play with children, watch TV, etc. Prepare lunches for
next day as needed. Safeguarding God’s Children Training required for Evening
Hosts.
OVERNIGHT HOSTS
1-2 Overnight Hosts: 8:30 PM to 7:00 AM - assist with expressed needs of guests
and spend the night to assist if necessary. Lights out at 10:00PM. Usually just
sleep all night; "serve" breakfast in the morning (breakfast items
are self-serve); be sure the common use part of the facility is in good order
and close up after the guests have left in the morning.
MOVE IN/OUT VOLUNTEERS
Help to unload the trailer on the Sunday that the guests arrive and to load the
trailer on the Sunday that the guests depart. We will also need a volunteer trained
to hitch-up the trailer and drive it, loaded to the next hosting church.
LAUNDRY
Pick up towels and linens on Sunday and return them washed and folded during
the week.
Amy Novak 795-8089, amy_m_novak@earthlink.net
Sharon Lowe 345-1990, sharonylowe@hotmail.com