One of Bartholomew County’s longest-running, communitywide efforts to help people in need recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches, a nonprofit agency better known as the Love Chapel and located in Columbus, began in 1968 when nine churches saw the need and joined forces to help.
That started an effort that has assisted thousands of local residents and made a huge difference in the lives of people who need a helping hand. People who are ill, disabled, out of work, poor or down on their luck are among individuals who have been helped.
Clients can receive a variety of help, most notably groceries from Love Chapel’s food pantry, which has been a godsend for many individuals and families that otherwise would struggle to put food on the table or go hungry. Love Chapel serves more than 1,000 households monthly.
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However, help extends beyond that. It can provide financial assistance in the form of rent, housing deposits and utilities. Clients can receive prescription assistance through a referral to the VIMCare Clinic. And, if they need shelter, people have the opportunity to stay at Brighter Days Housing, an around-the-clock shelter for the homeless and others facing housing crises.
That amount of help is certainly appreciated by people who receive it, considering the difference it makes.
What’s also appreciated is how Love Chapel’s message has resonated throughout the community. The Ecumenical Assembly now includes 25 churches as full members and 25 others that provide regular financial and other support for programs.
Additionally, foundations, schools, businesses, groups and individuals pitch in. Restaurants, grocery stores and farmers often donate food. Local residents often donate canned food, or volunteer their time to help at the pantry, for example.
When the Columbus Township trustee’s office and Love Chapel worked together to help the homeless by building the Brighter Days shelter, they received an outpouring of assistance from the community, churches, businesses, groups and individual volunteers. That assistance slashed the cost of the project considerably.
Love Chapel in many ways reflects what this community strives to be, one that cares for its fellow residents and lends a hand to people who need help getting back on their feet. That’s an important mission and one that it has done well.
That’s reason for the entire community to celebrate a half-century of help by the Ecumenical Assembly and its Love Chapel.
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