Cardboard Box City Event To Raise Funds To Help Homeless Families

Homelessness Affects Children and Their Families:

* A mother loses her job.

* A father cannot work because of an injury.

* A family loses its home by fire or natural disaster.

* A family must choose between medical costs and rent or mortgage payments.

* Public transportation is unavailable or too expensive.

* Affordable housing is scarce in Ocean County.

These are a few examples of why families now make up 40 percent of our homeless population, and why one out of every four homeless persons is a child. In response to this crisis, the Interfaith Hospitality Network brings the faith community together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County is a non-profit, interfaith ministry committed to providing shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families. Our well-trained volunteers reach out with our compassion and acceptance, providing help, hope and a safe haven for our guests while they seek permanent employment and affordable housing. We increase community awareness and advocate responsible solutions to homelessness.

IHN is an affiliate of Family Promise, a national organization with nearly 200 networks operating in 42 states encompassing more than 6,000 congregations and 160,000 volunteers, helping people in need. IHN will send a representative to any organization or event to share information about our program.

Homelessness Affects Children and Their Families:

* A mother loses her job.

* A father cannot work because of an injury.

* A family loses its home by fire or natural disaster.

* A family must choose between medical costs and rent or mortgage payments.

* Public transportation is unavailable or too expensive.

* Affordable housing is scarce in Ocean County.

These are a few examples of why families now make up 40 percent of our homeless population, and why one out of every four homeless persons is a child. In response to this crisis, the Interfaith Hospitality Network brings the faith community together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County is a non-profit, interfaith ministry committed to providing shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families. Our well-trained volunteers reach out with our compassion and acceptance, providing help, hope and a safe haven for our guests while they seek permanent employment and affordable housing. We increase community awareness and advocate responsible solutions to homelessness.

IHN is an affiliate of Family Promise, a national organization with nearly 200 networks operating in 42 states encompassing more than 6,000 congregations and 160,000 volunteers, helping people in need. IHN will send a representative to any organization or event to share information about our program.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County will be holding its annual "One Night in a Cardboard Box" event to raise funds to help homeless families with children in Ocean County.

The event is set for Friday, Sept. 21, on the grounds of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Toms River.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County is a nonprofit, interfaith ministry that provides shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families, helping people as they seek permanent employment and affordable housing.

"We increase community awareness and advocate responsible solutions to homelessness," the organization says on its website.

In Ocean County, families now make up 40 percent of the homeless population, the organization says, the result of parents losing jobs, medical crises, or disasters and a scarcity of affordable housing in the county.

"The Interfaith Hospitality Network brings the faith community together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity," the website says.

The Cardboard Box City event begins with setup at 4 p.m. at the church, 1528 Church Road in Toms River, and runs through Saturday morning.

Donations to support the event can be sent to St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 1528 Church Road, Toms River, NJ 08755.

Youth groups, Scouts, families, congregations and corporate groups are invited to participate and raise money to support the cause.

More information and registration can be found by clicking here or by calling the Interfaith Hospitality Network at 732-736-1550.

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