Outreach's national president speaks at Cape fundraiser

Robert Odom, national president of the Christian outreach organization Love INC (In the Name of Christ), offered encouraging words to about 170 people who attended a fundraiser dinner for the Southeast Missouri affiliate Thursday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Love INC of Southeast Missouri executive director Eva Hillis said the organization hoped to raise $13,500 during the event.

The difference between Love INC and other social service agencies is the relationships its staff builds with those it helps, Odom said.

"Love is the most powerful thing on the planet," he said. "It changes people and motivates people."

Love INC has more than 140 local affiliates in 30 states, representing more than 9,000 churches, 6,000 community-based organizations and more than 300,000 volunteers. Nationwide the organization serves more than 1 million people and will soon expand internationally, Odom said.

For the past 25 years, Odom has worked in organizations dedicated to helping those in poverty. He spoke of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty effort in the mid-1960s.

"They spent millions of dollars on it, and it failed miserably," Odom said. "I suggested years ago that we have Love on Poverty because the Bible guarantees us that love never fails."

In Cape Girardeau County, Love INC operates a clearinghouse center where trained volunteers take client calls, verify the information provided and then find specific ways to help them.

A total of 23 churches contribute to the organization both financially and by providing volunteers.

In 2009, the organization took 624 calls, served 1,091 families and distributed $75,892 worth of goods and services to people in need.

Hillis said $29,000 in donations from individuals is required during the coming year to meet Love INC's budget needs. That reflects a 37 percent increase from the previous year.

"We don't have enough volunteers, church partners or financial resources to be able to do more for the people who are hurting in our community," Hillis said.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

300 N. Ellis St., Cape Girardeau, MO