IHN

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

“A Program of Family Promise”

IHN logo

Click for future hosting weeks schedule.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a network of congregations and volunteers providing shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families. First Presbyterian Church is in this network. Four times a year our church hosts IHN families with the help of support churches—St. John’s Lutheran and New Hope Presbyterian. There are many different opportunities to serve and participate in this very special local mission.

  • Setup: Help unload beds and set up guest/host rooms following the 11:00 service on the Sunday the families arrive. Each family and evening host has individual rooms (30 to 40 minutes).
  • Overnight hosts: Arrive between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. (Hosts usually come in time to have dinner with the families.) Spend the night. Guests leave at 7:00 a.m. and hosts may leave as soon as everyone is gone. Families are responsible for fixing their own breakfast and lunches for the day.
  • Prepare an evening meal: Number of guests and volunteers may vary from 15 to 18 people. Help serve the meal and assist families with clean up. Groups or individuals can prepare meals. FPC currently provides evening meals four nights during the week.
  • Grocery shop: Take a prepared list and shop the Friday or Saturday before the families arrive on Sunday. The groceries are paid for by the IHN budget.
  • Transportation: IHN provides transportation in their van to and from the church and the day center. It may be necessary for the host congregation to provide transportation to and from work for those without a car.
  • Take down: Arrive at 7:00 a.m. to load the beds, clean the rooms, and put the Sunday School area back in order (45 minutes).
  • Laundry: Launder sheets and towels and return them to the church.

As you can see, it takes many people to provide shelter and meals for our guests. We are so blessed to have a group of dedicated volunteers but additional help is always needed. This is a great time for young families to bring their children and spent the night as hosts. The young children in the program are always happy to have playmates! .

This past year FPC served as host church on four occasions. We had approximately 45 individuals working on set up/takedown teams, providing meals, staying overnight as hosts, shopping for groceries, and working as transition hosts and day hosts. Many church members also volunteered to transport family members to and from work. Along with our support churches, St. John’s Lutheran and New Hope Presbyterian, we provided food and housing for 13 families. Many of those families are now living independently. Families still involved with IHN seem to appreciate the help they have received and several assist new families in becoming acclimated to the program.

Contact: Sue Wrisberg, phone: 609-8177 , email: sue.wrisberg@gmail.com

There is a place for you!

Website: IHN Knoxville Network