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

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Love INC, a nonprofit organization that unites churches to meet the needs of the poor in more than 155 communities across the United States, is responding to the U.S. Census Bureau's Report On Poverty released today with news of record growth in response to the increase in poverty. The growth is attributed to current economic conditions and the organization's mission to mobilize the church to meet the needs of the poor. Love INC has experienced a record 15 new affiliates opening their doors across the country to serve the needs of the poor during the first two quarters of 2010. This translates to 156 affiliates in 30 states. This shows significant increase over growth in 2009, during which Love INC opened 12 new affiliates for the fiscal year.

"Love INC as an organization is feeling the effects of the increase of poverty in the United States as demonstrated in the report," said Robert Odom, president of Love In the Name of Christ. "The economy has put many people into poverty that were not there before. They are the new poor. We are experiencing dramatic increases in the number of calls for assistance and an increase in new communities throughout our nation who want to open a Love INC affiliate. The need is tremendous but Christians across the country are responding with help, love and hope."

Odom has spent more than 25 years in leadership for organizations that are committed to alleviating 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 over 155 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.