Family Promise – Interfaith Hospitality Network of Gloucester County pleased to announce that it has recently received a shipment of 192 inflatable beds for use by its member congregations in providing a safe and secure place for homeless families to spend the night.

The beds were purchased with a grant from the Presbytery of West Jersey (PCUSA). The Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of West Jersey is the Rev. Deborah Brincivalli. In requesting grant applications, the Mission Committee of the Presbytery, chaired by the Rev. Don Painter, stated that they would give priority to programs that focus on feeding the hungry and homelessness, as well as faith based programs that meet human need.

This grant has enabled Family Promise of Gloucester County to purchase 192 inflatable beds, enough to supply each of their 12 host congregations with enough beds to accommodate a full census of guests. Previously, metal roll-away beds were used for sleeping accommodations. This required moving the beds from host congregation to host congregation each week, requiring the use of a rather large trailer. Some of the heavy beds needed to be carried up stairs to second floor rooms. These new airbeds will allow each host congregation to keep its own beds onsite, thus facilitating setting up sleeping quarters for Family Promise guests.

The mission of Family Promise of Gloucester County is to provide homeless families an opportunity to achieve stability by providing shelter, food, case management, and hospitality while simultaneously utilizing resources within local congregations and the community.