Over the past year and a half, our Family Promise committee has continued providing for families experiencing homelessness in our community with Family Promise of Gainesville, in the midst of this global pandemic.  While rotational housing remains postponed and families are housed in rentals and extended day hotels, we have provided catered meals each weeknight of our weeklong “hostings”.  Chef Empowerment’s Underground Kitchen has been making incredible meals for these families.  We are proud to support such an impressive organization, with its objective to reverse the commonly found statistics of increased crime and decreased employment by offering vocational training and immediate job placement for individuals who successfully complete their program.  Our most recent hosting took place the week of August 23rd and our final hosting of the year is scheduled for the week of November 21st.  We also continue to make quarterly payments to Grace Marketplace to sponsor meals provided to many more individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, we reached out to our congregation for financial support to accomplish these caterings.  You all showed up in an unbelievable way that has sustained this catering model all the way until this time.  We know that our members miss the many options usually available to us for supporting the Family Promise families.  We miss them too.  In the meantime, your continued financial support will allow us to continue our catering until it is safe to gather again for on-site hostings.  We are thankful for any donations you can make to the Family Promise committee. Donations can be accepted by sending a check to UCG with “Family Promise” noted in the memo line or by donations made to UCG’s online giving page at https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/ucg.  Simply choose Family Promise from the drop-down list of funds. 

We cannot thank you enough for providing your continued support to Gainesville’s homeless community, especially in a time that is so difficult for all.  We are all blessed by your giving hearts.

Lisa Debroux Ingram & Dawn Beachy