Helping Hands & Caring Hearts
Throughout 2024, IAM will celebrate the 40th anniversary of our founding in 1984. For forty years, IAM has been helping our neighbors in need with the assistance of our compassionate and generous community partners. Thank you to all the communities of faith, individuals, civic groups, funders, and area businesses that have made our mission possible. Thank you to everyone for 40 great years!
Get Help
IAM provides crisis assistance with a range of essential items and services including food for a week for each family member, clothing, linens, personal hygiene supplies, heat and utility bills, rent and mortgage payments, medications, pet food, and other basic needs. Our services are available for Henderson County residents.
Volunteer
The volunteer positions at IAM are crucial to our operations. Volunteers interview people coming in for assistance, manage files, are receptionists, work in the Food Assistance and Clothing Assistance Departments. A typical volunteer shift is four hours a week; some volunteers work more often. We could not provide our extensive crisis services without our wonderful volunteers.
Donate to IAM
IAM depends on generous financial donations from individuals, churches and our synagogue, businesses, civic groups to enable us to provide the basic needs for Henderson County families in crisis. In-kind donations of food, clothing, personal care items, cleaning supplies, masks, gloves, blankets, towels, sheets, pillows, pet food, school supplies are needed and appreciated
How You or Your Organization
Can Get Involved with IAM
Individuals
Volunteers are the heart of IAM. Because of their compassionate gifts of time, IAM is able to help thousands of people in great need in Henderson County every year. The volunteer positions at IAM are crucial to our operations and we could not provide our extensive crisis services without them. Volunteers interview clients, manage files, are receptionists, work in the Food Assistance and Clothing Assistance Departments. A typical volunteer shift is four hours a week; some volunteers work more often.
Partners
Interfaith Assistance Ministry values collaboration and partnership in our mission to help Henderson County families reach financial stability. Our community and corporate partners become an extension of our mission and help us give the working poor, struggling seniors, the disabled and others in financial crisis with vital utility, rent, food, clothing, linens, prescriptions, transportation, school supplies, personal care items and unusual hardships.
Faith Communities
IAM was established in 1984 by a coalition of local faith communities. Area congregations provide Interfaith with funds and in-kind donations of critical supplies such as food, clothing, blankets, school supplies, etc. Their membership also fills many key volunteer positions and offers their time and talents for special projects needed to maintain and improve the IAM facility. Congregations are the heart of our work to meet the basic needs of all in Henderson County.
IAM Programs and Services
Food Assistance
IAM provides neighbors in need with enough food to feed a family for one week. We also provide food once a month for an ongoing crisis. In addition to food items, our pantry distributes personal hygiene items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. We also provide dog and cat food for family pets.
Financial Assistance
IAM’s Social Services Department offers financial assistance to individuals and families in crisis by assisting with utility bills, rent and mortgage payments, heating fuel, prescriptions and medications, and gasoline. We also offer budgeting classes and a comprehensive list of other local agencies that may provide additional services.
Clothing Assistance
Clothing Assistance can supply adults and children with seasonally appropriate clothing, underwear, socks, coats, and clothing for interviews or specialty jobs. We also provide clients with sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels. For school-age children, IAM distributes backpacks and the school supplies children need to succeed in school.
Mobile Pantry Wednesdays
IAM’s Mobile Pantry visits various locations in Henderson County each Wednesday. Local families who are hungry will receive enough nutritious food for a week for each family member and get some relief from the stress of food insecurity.
See the current Mobile Pantry Schedule here.
Our Story
Interfaith Assistance Ministry is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing assistance to Henderson County residents since 1984. Established by local churches, the Hendersonville Ministerial Association and the synagogue to coordinate crisis services on their behalf, Interfaith is now supported by local congregations, businesses, civic groups, individuals and grants.
Our Mission: To assist members of our community experiencing a crisis with basic needs, in an atmosphere of compassion and respect.
Our Vision: A compassionate community working together to meet the basic needs of all in our county.
Clothing Assistance Department
Food Assistance Department
IAM’s 2023 Impact
83,974
IAM provided assistance to individuals and families 83,974 times in 2023. We provided nutritious food, helped pay the rent, provided clothing, helped with utilities, and more.
971,388
We served 80,949 individuals with nutritious food - including fresh produce, meat, and dairy products sufficient to prepare 971,388 meals.
3,800
IAM assisted 3,800 adults and children with housing, utilities, transportation, and other special needs in 2023. Our intervention helps prevent further homelessness and protects the health of vulnerable families.
Make a Donation Today
IAM depends on our generous donors to help provide basic needs and support for Henderson County families in crisis. Donate food, clothing, personal care items, blankets and financial gifts. IAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your generous donations are tax-deductible and all stay right here in our community. Because of you, our dedicated and committed supporters, IAM is fulfilling our mission to answer desperate prayers and provide basic needs to thousands of our neighbors who are barely surviving. Thank you!