Community leaders, pastors and numerous volunteers came together on Tuesday to hear updates from Linda Ewen and other board members regarding LoveINC.
Highlights given by Ewen, director of LoveINC, included the donation of a house, the successful back-to-school Backpack Ministry, cooking classes and the recent addition of money management classes.
“We asked God for a house,” Ewen said, “and we were given a house.”
The house Ewen referred to belonged to the widow of one of the three homicide victims and was the house where the crime was committed. While the original vision for a house was different than its outcome, the house will serve as a “beacon” or as Ewen put it, “a lighthouse in the community.” LoveINC gave the house to a local preacher who not only will reside there, but has said it indeed will be a place of refuge. There will be a dedication and anointing of the house April 11th at 1 p.m.
As for the Backpack Ministry, Ewen said it was a moving experience to witness the children and families who received school supplies, haircuts and clothing at the beginning of the school year – all for free.
“You could tell who the volunteers were that day,” said Ewen, “they were the ones with the tears in their eyes.”
Ewen also talked about cooking classes that were given by different churches to teach those who had little or no cooking skills how to prepare a meal.
Currently LoveINC has put together classes based on the Dave Ramsey money management system to help people learn how to better manage their finances.
Over the past year, LoveINC has seen an increase in those asking for help – many for the first time in their lives.
“It’s really tough for them to ask,” Ewen said.
LoveINC serves as a clearinghouse to connect those with needs to those who can help. Because of the high demand of such services, LoveINC is in dire need of a new facility. At present they are using donated space, but are bursting at the seams. In April LoveINC will be sending out letters to members of the community asking for help in getting a new building. Once a building is built or acquired, it will enable LoveINC to have items such as furniture immediately available to those who need it. It will also afford space for volunteers to work and offices for administrators. Also on the “wish list” – room to have a thrift shop.
As is true of anything, it takes money, time and talent to keep it all going. “If every household could just donate $5 a month,” board member Glenn Holderread told the group, “we’d have enough to continue to do great things.”
To learn more about LoveINC in Cushing, click here: www.loveincofgreatercushing.org
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