In mid-February, the Tempe faith community launched I-HELP to provide emergency shelter to the homeless Friday through Sunday nights. They never expected among their first guests would be a first-rate speller who decided the shelter truly spelled relief.Sue Ringer, the coordinator of the new Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program, noted that on Friday night, March 31, a mom and daughter arrived at Tempe Salvation Army for help with overnight housing. “They had just arrived from Quartzite on the bus for the daughter to participate in the big, state spelling bee at ASU that weekend,” she said.

They had no place to stay and no money. “We took them into I-HELP Friday night and off they went to the spelling bee Saturday morning, she said.

When they showed up for I-HELP screening Saturday night, they reported that Josie had placed ninth in the state. “We were all so proud of her,” Ringler said. All the I-HELP guests congratulated her. When we got to the hosting congregation Saturday night, we told her the dinner provided by Pizzeria Uno that night was to honor her! But that is not the best part of the story.”

“One of our great I-HELP steering committee members offered to take them to her house to sleep for Saturday evening instead of staying with I-HELP,” Ringer said. “And they turned her down, deciding to stay with I-HELP and their new found friends!”

“If that doesnt speak volumes for the program, I dont know what does!” Ringler said.

About a half-dozen churches are providing housing and meals on a rotation basis. Up to 15 people are being housed in churches. Ringler and faith leaders hope more congregations will join in so that all nights of the week will be covered, and that many homeless won’t have to spend nights under bushes and behind buildings.