Programs: The clearinghouse is the foundation of love inc. Volunteers in the clearinghouse screen request for help for the extent of need and legitimacy and refers the request to a local church ministry, church volunteer, or community agency (to avoid service duplication). Through clearinghouse referrals, church volunteers are given opportunities to meet practical needs of the poor and needy in the fairbanks north star borough without regard to race, creed, or religion, in 2017, the clearinghouse received 1226 requests for help; 82 requests were referred to agencies and 737 needs referred to churches and love inc programs. Volunteers donated 2,560 hours serving this clientelle. Church volunteers delivered food boxes, shop and clean for shut-ins, pay for an emergency medical prescription, bus passes, laundry vouchers, provide gratis counseling services, medical and dental care and so much more!
lack of affordable housing causes many families to couch surf and live on the streets. Loving families is our solution to family homelessness in the tanana valley. Loving families is a rotating shelter model with over a dozen host congregations. Each week the program participants are cared for by volunteers at local churches. These families are provided a safe loving environment to safely raise their children while having their basic needs provided for. Launched in november 2017 families received 368 bed nights and 1,090 meals. Families are provided mentoring and coaching to overcome obstacles. Volunteers served 1,910 hours in just two months providing for these families.
limited public transportation, a harsh climate and long distances between places of business all contributed to the development of the transportation program. Love inc is the only source of free door to door rides in fairbanks. Since its' inception in 1992 through december 2015, the transportation program has provided 79,000 rides. In 2017 the transportation program provided 500 trips to area citizens through the clearinghouse program. Love inc coordinate the ride schedules with volunteers who have set aside one day per week, either a morning or afternoon, to be available to give rides. Additional rides are given through church volunteers for clients whose needs didn't fit the eligibility criteria for a program referral. Thanksgiving food box deliveries and meals: each year, the local food bank prepares thousands of holiday food boxes with turkey and all the trimmings. Each year love inc provides deliveries of those food boxes to families who lack transportation and means to pick up their food. Love inc also interviews and selects up to three dozen seniors for home-cooked thanksgiving meals delivered to their door, warm and ready to eat! In 2015, 15 families received home cooked meals, and other seniors had their food boxes delivered to them so that they could prepare the meal on their own. Adopt a family: churches, civic groups, and businesses "adopt" carefully chosen families needing help at christmas. The families in this program are referred to the program. This is not assistance that clients can request. Referrals are gathered from school counselors, church pastors, and from the love inc clearinghouse. The chosen families are interviewed to find out about their needs - things that would benefit the family such as groceries, fuel, clothing, household items, etc. As well as "fun" ideas for the kids. Each group upon being "matched" with a family, are provided with their customized list of needed items and ideas on the most beneficial ways to help each family. In 2017, 56 families including 90 adults and 253 children were blessed at christmas through the adopt a family program by 42 sponsors.
