Inter-Faith Council looks for $50,000

The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service is facing a $50,000 challenge — and it is reaching out to the community for support.

For the past several years, the council — which provides shelter, food and medical services to the needy and homeless — has taken part in the Stewards Fund grant challenge.

If the council raises $100,000 in new, lapsed or increased donations, the Stewards Fund will match it.

So far, the council has raised about half the required funds. The grant challenge will end Dec. 31.

Chris Moran, the council’s executive director, said the council gets most donations from private sources — but the match is crucial for sustaining programs.

“One hundred thousand dollars is a big deal for us,” Moran said.

“We hope that our friends and patrons and those that support us will continue to give so that we can continue to do those things.”

And the need for social services in Orange County is, by some measures, more pressing than in previous years.

The Orange County poverty rate is estimated at 20.1 percent — compared to the statewide level of 17.5 percent, according to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The number of people on food stamps has also increased. As of October, there were about 6,300 active food stamp cases — up from about 6,000 cases last year.

Many local organizations, including the Episcopal Church of the Advocate, are stepping up to help the council reach its goal.

Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, the vicar of the church, said it is trying to increase the amount it pledges every year.

“The Advocate is a small church,” she said. “But we have a big heart and a bold vision, so we always try to give more generously from year to year.”

Last year, the church donated about $1,500 to the council.

“The Inter-Faith Council is the way we can best support people in need in our community,” she said.

Anna Neal Blanchard, executive director of the Stewards Fund, said the organization works with about 50 nonprofit organizations in the Triangle, including Habitat for Humanity of Wake County and the Salvation Army.

She said over the years, the organization has offered more and more challenge funds.

About 75 percent of its current grants are challenge grants.

“We think that it helps nonprofits leverage additional dollars, because it gives donors a good incentive,” Blanchard said.

And Moran said these funds are especially important during the holiday season.

“There are a lot of people hungry and in poverty in this community,” Moran said.

“We are at least trying to put food on people’s tables.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.