About two years ago, a group of clerics from various churches, mosques and synagogues met for a roundtable discussion about MIFA’s (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) Emergency Services program.

“It was a wonderful mix of diversity in Memphis – Muslim, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian,” said Margaret Craddock, executive director of the 41-year-old non-profit community service organization.

On Thursday (Nov. 12), Craddock will host another meeting for servant leaders; this one at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 494 S. Parkway E. Invited participants will discuss how MIFA might best serve the community.

From 10 to 11:30 a.m., Craddock and Phyllis Phillips, MIFA’s Emergency Services director, will explain MIFA’s current emergency services — including food, clothing and shoes, utilities, emergency medications and other necessities.

Representatives from MLG&W and the Shelby County Community Services Agency will share information about their assistance programs. Then MIFA will unveil its newly published Congregational Resource Guide, a 14-page booklet with updated information for families in need and the faith communities helping them.

“It’s all about how we can work together and how MIFA can support you and your ministry,” said Craddock, explaining the purpose of the clergy roundtable, the first of several planned over the next six months.

Craddock said the clergy and community leaders tend to enjoy brainstorming sessions and working together. “This is an effort for everybody to sit down together and work effectively. It’s meant to be a conversation.”

“When people have crises, they go from church to church,” added Phillips. “We want to let the churches know what is available. And we want to make sure we are on the same accord.”

MIFA serves more than 60,000 individuals and families annually and has an annual operating budget of more than $9 million. According to MIFA’s Web site, 34 percent of that money comes from private donations, 49 percent from public sources and 17 percent from individual programs.  

As a result of the economic downturn, the services MIFA provides to individuals and families in need have increased over the years, Phillips said. For example, MIFA was inundated with about 19,500 requests for food vouchers in 2008, an increase of 7,500 over the number received in 2007.

“We usually assist one-time crisis,” said Phillips. “There’s a two-year guideline. The average is about $200 per family. But they would have to go through a screening process Monday through Friday, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. We are not an income-base agency. You have to be eligible.”

MIFA offers a total of nine programs, “but we want to highlight the Emergency Services program,” said MIFA’s communication director, James Seacat. “A lot of the churches don’t have the staff and resources to address the congregation’s needs.”

He said MIFA is a resource for area churches where members can apply for assistance when the need arises.

“We’re starting out at Christ Missionary Baptist Church,” said Craddock. “We just want to spread out into the community.”

For more information about MIFA’s Emergency Services, call 901-527-0226.