|
Interfaith Mission, Inc. |
For up-to-date information, click on Interfaith News.
We provide situational emergency assistance to meet basic human needs for low-income residents. This emergency assistance can be provided through referrals, products, or payments made on behalf of a client. Our financial assistance is available to residents of the State College Area School district and Taylor and Worth Townships. All other services: the Centre County Fuel Bank, the Free Furniture Recycling Program, and the Helping Hands Budgeting and Money Management Program are available to all residents of Centre County.
Interfaith Mission is a member of the Community Safety Net. The Community Safety Net is a collaborative effort of 14 agencies in Centre County to provide a wide variety of services to residents of Centre County. Interfaith Mission maintains close working relationships with these human service agencies so as to coordinate services for clients. Assistance is provided without regard to religious affiliation.
Cash is never distributed Payments on behalf of clients to cover rent, security deposit, utility bills, heating oil, emergency medical needs, bus transportation within Pennsylvania, and other basic needs. The intent is to provide assistance in emergency situations, not for long term support. Clients schedule an appointment for an interview, and support is coordinated with other local agencies. The payment program serves only the State College Area School District and Worth and Taylor Townships, as other agencies have jurisdiction in other parts of the County. To receive rent or mortgage assistance, the household has to have an eviction notice, the threat of an eviction notice or be homeless to possibly be eligible for financial service. To receive utility assistance, the client must have a current shut-off notice or have less than a quarter tank of heating oil. Interfaith Mission does not help with telephone or cable bills.
The Centre County Fuel Bank serves all of Centre County. Its purpose is to help provide emergency heating assistance during the heating season. There has been excellent cooperation with local government and local service agencies. This coming heating season presents one of the biggest challenges that Centre County has ever faced. The price of heating oil has tripled in the last three years. Many more households are going to be in crisis because of the huge increase in price. Your financial support is needed to help prevent one of the largest financial crises Centre County residents have ever faced.
Helping Hands Budgeting and Money Management Program
Households throughout Centre County are struggling to make ends meet. The Helping Hands Program has been started to offer in depth money management and budgeting services to residents of Centre County. Interfaith Mission is a Representative Payee Organization approved by Social Security. As a RepPayee organization, clients who are not able to manage their household finances can have Interfaith Mission manage their finances. Our client money manager will meet with clients in their homes or at any location. As more households face economic hard times, Interfaith Mission stands ready to help. Referrals are accepted from human service agencies, Office of Aging, Children and Youth and Office of Adult Services.
Clients residing anywhere in Centre County may receive, free of charge, household items ranging from appliances, chairs, tables, sofas, beds, small appliances and linens. These are donated items held in storage awaiting inquiries. This program is maintained by donor contributions of items in good condition (we have no repair facilities). Those wishing to donate should call Interfaith Mission to schedule a pickup. Our pick up times are on Saturdays.
Clients must schedule an appointment during our regular business hours Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.
The office is located at:
2100-C East College Avenue
State College, PA 16801
Telephone (814) 234-7731
Fax: (814) 234-7411
Email: Interfaithmission1@juno.com
Directions to Interfaith Mission Office and Furniture Warehouse.
The programs of Interfaith Mission depend on contributions of member societies, individuals, and community organizations. Contributions may be financial, but also individuals can contribute furniture and household items and they may assist with office work. Organizations can invite an Interfaith Mission representative to speak, and collectively, they can volunteer to assist in various programs.
Membership in Interfaith Mission is available to any Centre County religious society that desires to minister to human needs through social service programs and economic assistance. Members contribute financially, but are not required to contribute a specific amount. Members, who have representation on the board of directors, are as follows:
Member Agency