Spring 2024

Carmel Nonprofit Tackles Var ious Types of Housing Insecur ity B Y R ENE E B R I NCK S S hopping for gently used goods at Carmel’s .oininK ,ands Benefit 7hop supports an ambitious and important goal: eliminating homelessness in Monterey County. The resale shop is operated by Interfaith Outreach of Carmel (IOC), an interdenomina- tional coalition of 16 Monterey Peninsula faith communities. Since it was established in 2007, IOC has granted more than $825,500 to orga- nizations that provide shelter and housing. The nonprofit raised Jor Kroups in including the Carmel Foundation, Community Human Services, Interim and I-HELP. IOC recently launched the Nancy J. Jones Housing Insecurity Endowment Fund (named for the IOC founder), and it is establishing a separate fund to expand support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. “When you talk homelessness, there are so many levels and so many cracks that people might fall through,” says IOC Executive Director MaryAnn Spadoni. “Every day, we just continue doing the best we can to help where we can.” IOC members make an impact by collectively focusing on a common goal. “There’s an obligation to serve one another, to uplift one another, to feed and house and take care of the most vulnerable. We are here to give of our abundance and alleviate distress,” Spadoni says. Joining Hands Benefit Shop is located 26358 Carmel Rancho Lane, Ste. 1 in Carmel. To donate, volunteer, or attend IOC’s spring fundraising gala, visit www.joininghandsbenefitshops.org or call 831/293-8140. SHORT CUTS GIVING BACK MaryAnn Spadoni (second from left) is joined by local faith community leaders and vol- unteers, all of whom help to support the mission of the Interfaith Outreach of Carmel. 92 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 Photo: Kellli Uldall