Love Stories

Reverse Blessings

One volunteer from the recent Serve and Celebrate Carnival shared: I looked forward to being able to volunteer and help people in town and had planned on being a blessing to those that I helped. Instead, I was the one that was blessed by this day. Acts 20:35 says. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words ...

A family came into the Clearinghouse with a request for furniture. Life “happened” and all of their belongings had been destroyed. At their initial appointment we were able to provide many of the basics, such as a bed, linen, microwave etc. Still needed were dressers, dining table, couch etc. The family came to our storage facility on furniture pick-up day. At the same time this family came by the James project students from GFU showed up with a U-Haul truck ...

As a volunteer in the Love INC clearinghouse, I coordinate furniture between those who have-to-share and those who have needs.  Many times I am able to match people within days, and the donor is able to deliver.  Now and then I hear about the outcome.  Walking down the sidewalk prior to the Old Fashion Festival parade, a woman called my name and said, “My kids moved me into a smaller place and took my excess furniture to a family you ...

A woman came in this month that was in transition. She was looking for a job and something to eat. A volunteer met with her to assess her needs. She was given something to munch on while she completed her intake appointment. This gal, we will call her Jane explained that she had a job interview later that day She was given a couple of sack lunch kits and asked to return in the morning to let us know how ...

One early afternoon this past week, a local man picked up a hitchhiker between McMinnville and Newberg. Upon hearing his story, the local man said, “Let me take you to Love INC. They have helped me and I am sure can help you as well.” The young man was leaving a bad situation and planned to hitchhike his way back to his family home in the Midwest. Several churches pooled resources, an overnight stay and subsequently a bus ticket. When ...

Many individuals come through the Love INC clearinghouse doors with heartbreaking stories, and in great need. This past month one woman completed the interview process and noticed the basket for Naps/Thriftway receipts. She dug in her purse, pulled out receipts and said, “I am so glad I have something to help with.” A man that we help periodically dropped in just to drop of receipts and ask us, “How is your day?” God is good all the time!

A woman came into the Love INC clearinghouse in need of several pieces of furniture including a long narrow table for sewing. A few days later a man stopped by the clearinghouse with some furniture he wanted to donate. He asked the volunteer to look at the items in his truck before unloading to confirm whether they could be used or should be taken elsewhere. One of the items was a long narrow table. God is so amazing. The woman ...

In December, we began to hand out HUGS (Hats, Umbrellas, Gloves and Scarves) in the Love INC clearinghouse. These HUGS had been donated from churches, restaurants, agencies and organizations. Collection bins were set up at Providence Newberg Hospital and Burgerville restaurant. We received HUGS from NW Medical Team, the Astor House and the Newberg Fire Department. HUGS were brought in from Church of Christ, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Newberg Friends, Newberg Foursquare and West Chehalem Friends. ...

This month, we have had an exceptionally large number of people that are homeless contacting the Love INC clearinghouse.  About 2 week ago, a woman came in with her son explaining that they had no place to live.  After conducting a brief interview, we learned that she had recently lost her job, the home that she had been living in had been sold, and it was looking like they would be sleeping in their car by the end of the ...

Roger, a volunteer that helps Love INC occasionally called to share that he would have some time to volunteer this Tuesday and next Tuesday.  He came into the clearinghouse and was given a list of things to pick up and deliver to various places throughout the community.  His list looked like the following:

      Take supplies to one of our GAP ministries
Pick up 2 hospital beds
Pick up a couch, dresser and chair
Deliver couch, dresser and ...