IMI is a private non-profit organization of people from different faiths and backgrounds who are joined by a common desire to help those in our community who have nowhere to turn for help.

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Interfaith Ministries' history started on April 10, 1979, when an enormous tornado devastated Wichita Falls and flattened 1/5 of the town. Thousands of people were homeless and hurting. Church World Service, an arm of the National Council of Churches, sent representatives to the city to organize a response from the religious community, and Interfaith Disaster Service (IDS) was the vehicle created to help families unable to finance the rebuilding of their homes. Congregations of all denominations and different faiths banded together to rebuild homes and lives. This was a "first" for our city, as congregations had not previously cooperated for any purpose across denominational and faith lines.

IDS funneled monies from major religious groups and federal disaster funds to feed, house, and direct the work of volunteers from across the nation and Canada. By October 1981 the work of IDS was finished, but those who had worked side by side through the past one and one-half years did not want this cooperative spirit to die. They looked for another avenue by which their efforts could be channeled to improve the lives of Wichitans. The decision was made to open an emergency center for families whose lives had been devastated by medical emergencies, loss of employment, or other financial crises.

Twenty-five churches pledged to support Interfaith Ministries, Inc. (IMI), as the new organization was named. Their purpose was to eliminate families going from congregation to congregation to ask for food and financial assistance. Having a central location supported by many congregations enabled resources to be pooled, eliminated duplication of effort and assistance, and saved families a lot of time and frustration trying to find help. IMI member congregations can refer families to the Center, joining their financial and food contributions with the others to help more people in a more efficient manner. Congregation staff and volunteers can then choose the times that are convenient for them to work at the center.

Member congregations are asked to support IMI in three ways:
1) with food for the pantry
2) with financial contributions
3) with volunteers

Four staff members, three full-time and one part-time, supervise the activities of approximately 175 volunteers. These dedicated individuals serve on the Board, interview clients, administer the Prescription Project, answer phones, do office work, sort and package food in the pantry, provide interpretation for non-English speaking persons, and give loving support and information to hurting people. The material assistance provided may only help temporarily with the problem, but the emotional and spiritual support offered can make a real difference in a person's perspective during a crisis situation.

Fifty-six congregations have made a written commitment to support the work of IMI. Another 13 congregations lend a helping hand as well, making a total of 69 congregations that give time, talents, financial, and pantry donations making possible the outreach ministry of IMI. Individuals, local foundations, businesses, civic groups and other organizations also provide resources necessary to help nearly 3,000 families with over $230,000 in direct financial assistance each year and nearly 2000 individuals with pantry assistance of 25 tons annually. In addition to these resources, the ministry of IMI is made possible because of the willingness of the volunteers to freely give just over 7000 hours of their time and talents. IMI is truly a local, non-United Way, effort that takes care of our Wichita Falls residents in need.

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Interfaith Ministries is a united effort of the religious community to show God's love. We respond to those in need through advocacy and coordination of community resources.

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Who Supports IMI?

• Over 50 member congregations
• individuals
• local foundations
• local businesses
• civic and service clubs
• IMI is not a United Way Agency
• IMI is not a government agency. The IMI Board of Directors sets the guidelines and limits of assistance for the organization.

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What Can You Do To Help IMI?

• YOU can help by volunteering as a counselor, receptionist pantry worker or RX counselor.
• YOU can help by donating your time as a board or committee member.
• YOU can help by donating your money to IMI so we can continue to help people who come to see us as a last resort.
• YOU can help by donating food and hygiene items to the pantry.

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How Does IMI Help People?
IMI helps individuals and families who need help with the:

• Electric, water and gas bills
• Prescription medications
• Eyeglasses
• Medical needs and referrals
• Driver's license, birth certificate and Texas ID card fees
• Bus tickets for emergencies
• Gasoline money for jobs
• Food
• Rent and rent deposits
• Person seeking assistance must be Wichita Falls residents
• Social Security Card and Picture ID are required, along with paperwork related to need, such as termination notices, prescriptions, etc.
• If help is needed with a utility bill, it must be a termination notice
• IMI opens each weekday morning at 9:00 AM. The office is also open three afternoons each week, at 1:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. No appointments are necessary; the first twelve people through the door each session will be seen
• A volunteer counselor will assess the immediate need through a financial intake, which looks like a household income and expense. The volunteer counselors, following guidelines set by the Board of Directors, determine whether IMI can help with a particular need
• Interfaith Ministries' goal is to provide information and encouragement to help people take steps toward meeting their own needs.

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Interfaith serves a fairly diverse population. Seventy-one percent of all IMI clients have been helped only one or two times per year, half of which have been assisted only once. Two-thirds of our clients are women in their twenties and thirties. Over two-thirds of our clients are women, and over fifty percent are in their twenties and thirties. Overal about seven percent are younger than twenty, and fourty percent are over forty. Nearly one-third are single people, and over one-third are single parents. Fourteen percent are married with children. Though racial statistics are not available, it is evident that the need for assistance exists among all races.