2015 FILE PHOTO — A Love INC worker helps with a woman who was in need of assistance at their office in Chehalis.
During financial hardships, some feel they have no place to turn.
Something as simple as acquiring bed sheets or paying a rental screening fee can become a large burden for those who have almost nothing.
Whether the individual is fleeing from a situation plagued with abuse, or just fell under hard times, one agency in Chehalis is willing to help those who truly need it.
And they’ve been doing it for 25 years.
Love In the Name of Christ, a non-profit mission, provides a plethora of services to the local community. If the need is outside of the agency’s range, volunteers and staff do the best they can to guide individuals and their families in the right direction to access help.
By providing furniture, bedding, firewood and toiletries, and assisting families with utility bills and rent deposits, the organization does what it can to be of assistance.
The Christian-based, multi-church mission is supported through a network of over 35 churches, and a variety of organizations who take referrals.
“The best way I can probably describe (what we do) is we are somewhat of a clearing house — we match up the needs that an individual has with the resources that are available in the community,” Merle Krouse, executive director of Love INC, said. “From boots to … help with getting a driver’s license, help with paying rent, food and gas vouchers. If you can think of a need, we attempt to cover it.”
The agency uses donations it receives or contacts a church for assistance.
Those asking for help are screened to ensure the need is verified and is indeed due to a financial situation.
Celebrating its 25th year, Love INC has seen a large increase in demand from the local community.
According to Paul Bonner, current intake coordinator and former executive director, the organization was created in 1990 with one part-time volunteer. Later, staff was added, although the agency still relies heavily on volunteers.
In 2001, 704 calls were received and Love INC was able to assist about 50 percent of the individuals asking for help. The agency hit its peak in 2009 after regional flooding when it helped approximately 5,000 people.
From January to the end of July, Love INC delivered 911 pieces of furniture to 232 families in Lewis County, assisted 155 families with utility bills, provided housing needs such as rent and deposits to 47 individuals or families, and provided 122 individuals and family with gas vouchers for doctor appointments and job interviews.
Love INC also helped 96 individuals or families with food through vouchers, referrals to the food bank, or churches serving community meals.
Those numbers do not include the countless referrals the agency puts in to other organizations such as Community Action and the Human Resource Network, among others.
Gary Baker, the longest involved person with the non-profit mission and current furniture coordinator, said Love INC goes the last extra mile to ensure they help those that they can.
Its furniture ministry has grown dramatically and provides free furniture in good condition to those who need it with delivery included. Donations pack a warehouse located on the organization’s property.
Largely driven by volunteers, Love INC has six paid positions and then relies on approximately 115 volunteers to help do its work. The experience is rewarding for the office staff on hand.
“(Love INC) changes people’s lives that are desperately in need,” Lucy Morris, intake receptionist, said.
Along with the help provided, ministries coordinator Carol Druckman said it gives others a chance to help make a change.
“It’s an opportunity for people in pews to be involved in changing people’s lives to affect positive change,” she said.
“There is no government regulation so we can do what God wants,” Druckman said.
