Community Corner
Making the Season Merry and Bright For the Needy
Interfaith Hospitality Network hosts a holiday party for Essex County's homeless.
The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) hosted a party in South Orange on Friday night, kicking off this season of giving with holiday cheer for Essex County's homeless.
More than 120 guests attended the party at , a festive event with crafts, music and clown for families who for a variety of reasons have fallen on difficult times.
In Essex County, more than 60 participating congregations -- with more than 1,200 volunteers-- provide emergency shelter, beds, friendship and meals. The families also receive financial and emotional support, and child-care assistance. Keeping the families together is at the heart of the mission on the
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The need has never been greater. Recent data from the 2010 Point in Time Count of the Homeless reveal Essex County to have the highest rate of homelessness out of all 21 counties in New Jersey.
On Friday, church volunteers prepared a buffet dinner, with entertainment provided by clown Joey Klein and music by Kevin Chambers. Arts and crafts were led by the SAHC Youth Group. A local Girl Scout troop donated four dozen cupcakes that they decorated for the party.
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The annual holiday party is one example of how IHN continues to help families increase their self sufficiency. Families received gift cards for buying what they need to celebrate the holidays.
“IHN gives us all a reason to hope in this season of hope -- to hope for the peace that comes from people coming together from all faiths in a team effort to help make life better for others,” said Rev. Sandye Wilson, rector of St. Andrew and Holy Communion.
