The residents of Riverside and Interfaith Compassion Ministry need your help! Interfaith Compassion Ministry is in need of funds immediately to assist Riverside residents with deposits for their new residences and utilities.

Oxford Housing Authority has received the funding for vouchers that will begin to pay rent for Riverside residents in apartments and homes throughout the community beginning March 1. Upon locating available housing for each resident, the OHA refers the resident to Interfaith Compassion Ministry for assistance with deposits for new residences and utilities.

Interfaith Compassion Ministry projects a need of $65,000 to meet the needs of those transitioning into our broader community. Interfaith has a source that is willing to match dollar-for-dollar funds raised to reach the total needed and has set a goal of $32,500.

Donations needed for deposits

Dick Marchbanks, chairman of the ICM board of directors, said ICM is working with local individuals, churches and nonprofits and is collecting donations for deposits and distributing those funds to utility companies and landlords on behalf of the tenants.

“No money goes directly to the resident,” he said. “Thirty families have secured housing and been assisted with deposits. We want to help these remaining 56 families move forward by providing help with deposits for their new apartment and utilities. The vouchers have been received by Oxford Housing Authority and are ready to be distributed.  These vouchers will pay the monthly rent, but do not pay for deposits.

“Interfaith needs private donations to meet the needs of Riverside residents,” he continued. “We are part of a caring community. We hope our citizens will consider donating to this special cause, so that ICM can utilize its normal income resources to address the emergency needs of those in our hometown with a crisis situation.”

For more information to make a donation online, refer to Interfaith Compassion Ministry on Facebook.