Bob and Vicki Neumann had an almost-argument about seven years ago. Vicki was talking about forming an interfaith hospitality network to provide housing for homeless families in local churches.
"Bob said, 'We can't do that. In Salt Lake, pull all the religions together?' " recalled Vicki. "He was right. We couldn't. (But) God could."
In 2002, the 15 local churches that make up the Interfaith Hospitality Network took in hundreds of families. Volunteers from each congregation supplied baby blankets, winter coats, hot breakfasts, lunches and dinners. And like Vicki Neumann (who is the IHN's executive director), they gave their guests time. Time to talk and plan.
"We're not teaching the families. We're learning from one another," Neumann says.
"We haven't pushed our theologies aside. We've placed them in our hearts," Neumann said, adding, "We show our faith through our actions, not our words."
The average length of stay for a family in the hospitality network is 40 days, she said. "Our motto is '40 days in the wilderness.' " Families come to the churches after being evicted from their homes. One or both parents may have been sick, lost a job or even lost a family member. Medical bills, too many days missed at work and jobs without benefits made it impossible for them to pay rent on time.
"I was looking for a warm meal. I found warmth instead," said Barbara, a former guest.
The hospitality network also helps guests with budgets and job searches. A few members of hosting churches have volunteered to be mentors to families; essentially they're friends who help guests re-enter the working and bill-paying world.
Having a mentor, said former guest Michael Landolfi, "keeps you on track. You know somebody cares." The network "has given me a positive attitude about the (Salt Lake) community and about people in general."
On Monday, the network will have a children's party with Santa Claus at its headquarters, 802 W. 800 South. The group is also collecting donations for Christmas gift baskets. A Christmas-basket wish list and other information about network activities is available at www.slihn.org.
The Salt Lake network's members hope to expand to include more congregations across the Wasatch Front. Since the nation's first interfaith hospitality network formed in Union County, N.J., in 1986, another 80 local organizations have been founded in 28 states.