I am a regular volunteer and past board member. SHIM does many things very well, assisting with basic needs, offering services and referrals when necessary, and generally providing a place for help for anyone who needs it, regardless of the situation. They do all this while treating all individuals served as neighbors. I have found it a wonderful place to give back to my community.
Review from Guidestar
This is absolutely my favorite nonprofit group. They provide food and clothing etc. to low income families in need that have long term and short term challenges. The clothes that I donate are hung up in an area where those in need are able to come and shop off of the racks for "FREE"! I have held food drives and made financial donations as well. The amount of people that they are able to help support in time of need is amazing and so are their volunteers! They are truly angels from heaven there to help others.
SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Ministries) treats their clients with the utmost dignity and respect while providing basic human needs -- including food and clothing. The staff members are dedicated and passionate about their mission to help individuals and families in need.
South Hills Interfaith Ministries (SHIM) provides services to low income families in the South Hills of Pittsburgh through a food and clothing bank and assistance in learning to budget money and in applying for energy assistance. They also have a center in an apartment complex which houses many, many refugee families. SHIM does so much for so many and uses their money so wisely! This year, they are converting some of their lawn into a garden to supplement the food bank with fresh vegetables. What a great use of resources!
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I first came to know South Hills Interfaith Ministries through my church's participation in one of their food drives, but over the years I've lived in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, I've become more involved and now serve on their board. SHIM serves the suburban poor in countless ways and answers ever increasing needs: a food and clothing bank, run by volunteers who respect the dignity of our cllients; a fall drive to collect items for school, enabling kids to start the school year with new backpacks and supplies; advice about money management and energy assistence; a wonderful intergenerational, multicultural Thanksgiving dinner for clients; a summer day camp that gives kids who might otherwise be home alone weeks full of a variety of appropriate outside activities.
To support all of their many services, SHIM calls upon all of the various religious denominations in the South Hills, keeping them informed and engaging their members are both financial donors and as volunteers.
I've been a volunteer at SHIM for about two years as an expediter for the Dollar Energy program, which helps families in need of assistance in paying their utility bills. This is just one small program in the myriad activities of SHIM, in helping those in poverty get back on their feet. The organization of efficiently run, no money is wasted, and the budget is balanced.
I have been impressed with SHIM ever since I first volunteered to help at one of their Back-to-School events. It was very rewarding to know that kids, from families that were struggling to make ends meet, would be returning to school with a new backpack and the supplies they needed.
I have also volunteered at the Family Support Center in Prospect Park where services are provided primarily to a large population of refugee families. The staff is caring and resourceful and truly help to fill significant needs in the lives of those they serve.
In these trying economic times, the demand for the services that SHIM offers continues to grow. SHIM staff works hard to meet these needs and does so in a caring, respectful and professional manner.
I have been volunteering at South Hills Interfaith Ministries for just three months, but I have been aware of their presence in the area for many years. Their help to many local people is well known, appreciated and most of all respected.
The staff is small but very effective. It is apparent that one of their greatest strengths is their cohesiveness. They stongly support each other, and can easily step up and help if there is a need. I look forward to being around them each week.
During the last couple of years I have heard various acquaintances mention volunteering at SHIM. They all seemed to enjoy the experience and felt welcomed in whatever capapcity they fulfilled.
I never heard any of them express the opinion that
they were considered "just a volunteer".
When I finally approached the organization to offer my time they were so friendly, yet professional. They were, and are, willing to let me find my niche.
I am happy to be involved with SHIM.
I have volunteered at SHIM for over 2 years and have seen impacts on people's lives. First of all, I have seen many more people helped by SHIM in this time; more people struggling in the community, and also increased numbers of refugee families. Providing food, clothing and energy assistance to individuals and families while they are in need is important, and is done cheerfully and respectfully by staff and volunteers. But I have also seen individuals make it "to the other side" of food security and a job, having used the emergency support of food and clothing to shore themselves up while they worked to escape day-to-day living. SHIM makes a big difference.
Now with a social worker at SHIM, it has become more of a bridge to help people move past emergency needs.
I could go on and on about the quality people and programs at SHIM, but will end with two other mentions. The Holocaust Rememberance each year is phenomenally moving and important to continue. and the preschool and family center for refugee families in Baldwin-Whitehall are vital to the integration of these fine individuals into American life. SHIM is a very valuable resource and organization in these difficult times.
South Hills Interfaith Ministries is an honest and respectful ministry, honoring those they serve, working hard to improve life for so many. I have only heard respect and genuine concern for their patrons. They are anxious to help others. They are uncompromising in their values, and cherish their volunteers and donors. I am impressed by the hard work they do and the efforts to find new ways to help those in need.
SHIM (as South Hills Interfaith Ministries is commonly known) welcomes and treats clients in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, with dignity and respect. The staff over the years interacts with volunteers and clients cheerfully and with kind enthusiasm, as I've observed during 6+ years of unscheduled visits to the office. During the 2010-11 winter coat drive, SHIM met all of the growing client base's needs, so it shared excess winterwear with other service agencies. SHIM's interfaith commitment is real, welcoming all churches, synagogues, religious and community organizations to lend a hand. SHIM feeds the spirit by organizing interfaith and Holocaust remembrance services, as well as feeding our South Hills neighbors, providing free clothing, school supplies and holiday gifts 'stores', and running nursery school and summer camp programs for low-income kids and recently resettled refugee families. Not only do SHIM staffers and friends alleviate hunger, SHIM empowers clients to choose their own groceries and helps them navigate utility assistance, etc.