Love Chapel needs $75,000 by year’s end

Kelly Daugherty has organized a meeting about the Empty Bowls fundraiser for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Love Chapel. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Because Love Chapel continues to serve record numbers of needy people, especially the homeless at Brighter Days Housing emergency shelter, the nonprofit is seeking $75,000 in donations by Dec. 31 to cover costs.

The ministry’s leaders recently sent out a letter to 900 previous donors announcing the challenge and the need.

The request is unusual because Love Chapel rarely has announced such public campaigns through its 51-year history, often relying on member Christian churches to meet increasing needs. But a severe lack of volunteers at Brighter Days late last year — very similar to the current need — necessitated a $50,000 push that was successfully met by the end of 2018.

“We’re optimistic — let’s put it that way,” said Kelly Daugherty, the outreach’s executive director. “Certainly, we don’t want to take anything for granted.

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“But one thing that always has amazed me is the generosity of our community in trying to meet the needs that we have. Columbus always has been a very giving place.”

Record numbers that Love Chapel discussed last month continue, Daugherty said. And with the holidays arriving, he doubts that will abate.

For example at the food pantry since June, the outreach has been serving nearly 1,250 households monthly — up about 7 percent since the beginning of this year, according to ministry figures.

And Brighter Days has been running at capacity — recently expanded to 48 people daily — since September, Daugherty said.

“It just has been a real stretch (for staffing),” he said.

He added that Love Chapel has aimed to have one volunteer paired with one staffer in order at all times to operate the shelter. That hasn’t happened, and public campaigns for more volunteers has yielded insufficient numbers in a community known for its volunteerism and its active Volunteer Action Center office linked with United Way of Bartholomew County.

So leaders have had to move to two paid staffers on duty much of the time.

“That’s just the reality of the situation,” said Barbara Parker, president of the board of the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches operating Love Chapel. “Those who already are regular volunteers have been extremely loyal.”

Parker added that the organization has intensely tried to overcome some would-be volunteers’ insecurities over fears of Brighter Days’ clients.

“Somehow, we haven’t yet been able to break those preconceived notions,” Parker said.

She, like Daugherty, is optimistic that supporters will come through by Dec. 31.

“We are a faith-based organization, so we have to have faith that people will step up,” Parker said.

Love Chapel leaders already are budgeting for more costs for 2020 for Brighter Days, the Love Chapel Chapel food pantry and more programs. In line with that, Daugherty said that board members have ideas for more fundraisers, and he is investigating new grant opportunities.

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People can donate to Love Chapel’s end-of-the year need by:

  • Mailing a check to 311 Center St., Columbus IN 47201.
  • Donating online at lovechapel-bartholomew.org
  • Dropping off financial donations to 311 Center St. in Columbus.

Information: 812-372-9421.

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