Family Hope Food Pantry
The Executive Director of Family Hope Food Pantry (FHFP) said that this organization is unique as the service it provides is something that individuals from all faith backgrounds should be able to agree upon. FHFP works closely with low income families who are Catholic, so the Catholic church has a vested interest in funding its programming. There is also a tie in that the Catholics funders are interested in the health of the disadvantaged mothers that the organization is serving.
Region for Refugees
Though this organization started in the early 1900’s with roots connected to faith, Region for Refugees (RFR) has shifted its focus to be solely on its mission to serve refugees in the community. As a result, the nonprofit appears more secular in its current standing as no faith-based practices are included in their day-to-day schedule in the traditional sense. The interviewee stated that the RFR has changed over time to respond to the needs of refugees who require the most assistance. By offering legal services, educational opportunities, housing, and job readiness programs to immigrants and refugees in their area, the RFR has worked to provide a safe space for their community. In addition to these services, the long-standing presence in the community appeals to funders of both secular and faith-inspired backgrounds.
New Light Family Services
New Light Family Services (NLFS) provides low-barrier social service programs for families experiencing hunger and homelessness in a densely-populated West Coast suburb. NLFS maintained strong relationships with faith-based organizations since its inception. Current leadership describes the support it receives from local faith communities as the “backbone” of many of their programs. NLFS, as a secular organization, is committed to serving any member of their community facing housing insecurity or hunger. Faith-based volunteers and donors generally understand that the people they serve may not share their religious background. While volunteers and donors are discouraged from sharing their beliefs with clients, they are usually content to “fulfill their faith” simply through their ongoing support of the organization’s programs and services.
