The January 2017 Share the Plate recipient is the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network (SIHN). This is a group of churches who minister to homeless members of the greater Salem community.  Each church hosts homeless families for one week, providing morning and evening meals, companionship to families and children in the evening, and a place to sleep in the church. During the day guests go to the SIHN Day Center  in West Salem and look for work and get other help.  UUCS has been a major participant in the Salem IHN since its inception.

SIHN also provides assistance in job seeking and looking for a new home, as well as rental assistance to families for up to six months. PetSMart has formed a partnership with SIHN to provide options for homeless families to keep their pets while on the road to a sustainable home.

Hosting by each church takes place about 4 times per year.  Volunteers from UUCS prepare meals, provide companionship, and stay overnight during our weeks for hosting.

91% of the families find a new home.
90 children from 40 families are hosted every year.