Seven years ago, the rushing waters of Hurricane Katrina blasted through houses, schools and businesses and mercilessly destroyed the places so many people called home. The tragedy left cities such as New Orleans and Galveston bruised but not hopeless. Many residents were left displaced by the powerful storm, and some of them arrived in Columbia.

This event was the push that founders Jane Williams and Peggy Kirkpatrick needed to start a local chapter of the national organization Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC). Williams wasted no time recruiting; she handed Randy Hodill, now executive director of Love INC, an information packet the day of his retirement from his previous full-time job.

There’s always more to it

Love INC of Columbia eventually opened its doors in April 2008 after much support and love from local ministries and with the social work experience of Williams.

“When fielding requests at my own church, I felt like I was throwing Band-Aids for much bigger problems,” Williams says. “There was a need to round up churches and work together.” Love INC now works with another 40 churches and organizations to coordinate programs for those in need, which often includes people who just need compassion.

Williams remembers her first phone call for the organization. A woman’s daughter had recently been incarcerated, which left the woman with her grandchildren and concerns about paying her utility bills. “This woman really confided in me at the end of that conversation, and it struck me that I don’t think anyone had ever taken 30 minutes to listen to her,” Williams says.

“There’s always more to it,” Hodill adds. “We have to answer why they can’t pay the bill; maybe they don’t have a car, they need their GED, or they can’t find a job because they don’t have nice clothes and interview skills.”

People need time rather than money

Love INC serves as a matchmaker of sorts in the nonprofit world and seeks to help people and churches find one another to address complex issues, such as hopelessness; unemployment; aging out of foster care; or difficulty transitioning from domestic violence, incarceration or homelessness. The organization’s volunteers include retirees such Hodill, MU Service Learning students and church members.

“People need your time rather than your money,” says Williams, who focuses on coordinating resources rather than financial handouts. Williams says simply handing out money often perpetuates problems in the lives of clients as opposed to addressing the core issues.

These services include a professional clothing closet to prepare clients for job interviews. Love INC’s Living Large program is a staple of their organization. The program runs every Thursday at Memorial Baptist Church from 6:15 to 8 p.m. through May 2, with child care provided. These seminars range in topic from communication and conflict to anger management. Money management and birthing classes are among other options available through Love INC.

But the future plans for the organization can be traced back to its inception. Through a community survey during the start of Love INC, Williams learned that people wanted back a furniture bank that had existed briefly after Hurricane Katrina. “We quickly realized how expensive it was to maintain and keep our trucks full of gas for pickups,” Williams says.

“And when people clear out houses, it’s amazing the things we wind up with,” Randy Hodill adds with a laugh. “Lots of chandeliers and ceramic bird collections.”

“That’s not exactly what a woman starting over after domestic violence needs,” Williams continues, “but we are appreciative of anything we get.”

With that, The Love Seat was born, and Love INC had its own resale store. After a series of “miracles and provisions by others,” Hodill says, The Love Seat will move to its new home at 1516 Business Loop 70 W. this spring.

You have to lean on others sometimes

When asked what they need, Williams has one word: “Beds: We never get enough of them.”

A social worker by nature, William rarely acknowledges her own needs. Due to an abrupt degenerative condition, she is legally blind, and the chance of her eyesight improving is slight. The people she helps on a daily basis are often dealing with life-changing situations as well, and she says her situation has increased her compassion. “I just see now how badly you need people around you when things like this happen,” she says. “No one wants to be the one in need, but you have to lean on others sometimes.” Hodill takes Williams to work, and a co-worker reads her emails to her.

Although Hodill and Williams are very active in the Christian church community, they help anyone ready for change and in need. “While we never want to pressure anyone with our beliefs, we are always willing to pray for clients,” William says. “And if finding a home church is part of their need, we are happy to help that happen.”

One Love INC philosophy can be found in their brochures, website and office: “We can only teach ‘how to,’ not ‘want to.’” Hodill emphasizes that clients have to be ready and willing to contribute to their core needs and insists there’s always more behind the financial concerns.

“Even Jesus allowed people to partake in their own healing, saying their faith had made them well,” he says, “and we hope to reflect that to others.”

To contact Love INC, call 573-256-7662.