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BUNK BEDS NEEDED
LOVE INC working to meet need
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One of the bunk beds. - photo by Photo Contributed
There are at least 24 kids in Manteca who do not have beds.  They sleep on the floor or couches.  

Eleven Christian Churches in Manteca want to help and have become financial partners of LOVE INC, an acronym for Love In the Name of Christ whose goal is Helping Churches Help People.  This organization was started in Michigan and has 147 offices nationwide.  When people contacted the churches to share their need for beds, the churches went to LOVE INC.  

Don Jones from Sequoia Heights Baptist Church is in charge of the Furniture Ministry.   He went to church member, Donnie Land, who designed and made a sturdy oak bunk bed to maximize space.  The bed was put in the sanctuary and the congregation was told of the need.  They responded by giving $1,265 toward this project.  Each bed costs $300 just for supplies so this is enough for four beds.   More is needed.  As money comes in, a Church Workday will be held to make the beds.

LOVE INC does more.  The program is not just to meet people’s needs but to help them get out of their present circumstances.  Some are out of jobs.  Some are coming out of shelters and have empty rooms to fill.  LOVE INC does a telephone intake that identifies all their needs, their job status and the circumstances they are in.  They pray with them.  They connect people with the resources that they need, often a local church, a non-profit agency or an individual, who has volunteered that resource.  For example, if someone can’t pay their PG&E bill, they share that there are grants available.

LOVE INC would like to get more churches involved.  Stephen Parsons is the Executive Director.  Pastor Jim Todd of Crossroads Grace Church is the Head of the Board of Directors with representatives from each of the committed churches.  New Hope Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Calvary Community Church and Sequoia Heights Baptist Church all have Food Pantries that LOVE INC can refer people.   Calvary Community Church is in charge of the Clothing Ministry.   LOVE INC would also like to get more people involved.  There is a need for people to man phones, to donate things, to do general office work, to pick up and deliver items and to provide storage for donated items.  If you would like to help, please call 825-9131 Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.   If you have furniture or mattresses to donate, that can be done by calling LOVE INC.  

If you would like to donate money for the bunk beds, that can be done by mailing it to LOVE  INC, PO Box 708. Manteca, CA 95336.  Donations can also be made at Sequoia Heights Baptist Church at 1050 S. Union Road, Manteca, CA 95337.  Be sure to specify that it is for furniture.