Nonprofit Meets Needs of the Poor in 156 Communities

Contact: Tammy Benker Swanson, Love INC, 612-872-8008, 952-239-6333 cell, tswanson@loveinc.org

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, a report that looks at the condition of local communities around the country, poverty's impact can be seen on a local level across the United States.  Love INC, a national nonprofit organization that unites churches to meet the needs of the poor in 156 communities in 30 states, is reporting that the organization is responding to twice as many calls from those in need as the economy continues to stumble. 

During the first two quarters of 2010, the increase in poverty has led Love INC to open a record 15 new affiliates across the country to serve the needs of the poor.  This shows significant increase over growth in 2009, during which Love INC opened 12 new affiliates for the fiscal year.  

"Our local affiliates are feeling the effects of the increase of poverty in communities around the United States," said Robert Odom, president of Love In the Name of Christ.  "This economy has put many people into poverty that were not there before.  They are the new poor: people who, until now, have been able to support themselves and their families. Their situations have changed due to economic conditions or job loss and now they have found themselves out of work and out of resources so they are turning to the church who is responding with help, love and hope."

Odom has spent more than 25 years in leadership for organizations that are committed to alleviate poverty in the U.S.  He has testified before the United States Senate regarding issues of homelessness and youth violence and is a nationally-recognized authority on the subject.

Founded in 1977, Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) brings churches together across denominational lines to help the poor with immediate needs such as food and clothing, to longer-term responses such as transitional housing programs, health care and life skills training.  Love INC meets more than one million needs each year through 156 affiliates in 30 states, representing a network of more than 9,000 churches, 7,000 community-based organizations, and 300,000 volunteers working to serve the poor.  For more information about Love INC visit www.loveinc.org or call 1-800-777-5277.