Huntington has “A Heritage of Caring”

Heritage Days 2025, June 11 through June 15, will celebrate the people of Huntington and how they care for one another with the theme, “A Heritage of Caring.” Over the years many individuals, businesses and organizations have united the community in caring for one another. Each week the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce will highlight one of these entities in this column.

United With Love cares for neighbors in need and provides stability through Christ-centered services that meet individual needs. It is a Christian community that lovingly serves those in need through programs that empower and transform lives according to the mission statement.

Located at 715 Byron Street, United With Love shows empathy to everyone who walks in their door, and is a guide for individuals who are in need through material goods or educational programs. The organization unites with local churches to care for others by engaging volunteers to serve.

United With Love was begun as Love, Inc. in October 1985 by Sister Paula Fortier, Dr. Dewitt Baker (Huntington University), Rev. Ray Scribner, Bob Whitesell and others. In December 2001 it became known as Love INC and located to the former Bechstein’s Grocery where it remains currently. The name change to United With Love came in January 2023.

Executive director Erin Didion overseas the clean facility that offers high-quality food and material items. In October 2020, Didion began the process of remodeling the food pantry, and in September 2021, the model of “client choice” was adopted. It allows clients to be active participants in the process of using the food pantry. Janet Troyer is the office manager, Isiah Huber is the ministry coordinator and Jerry Phelps is the food pantry coordinator.

According to United With Love records, 5,400 individuals were served in 2022. 6,283 of those were visits to the food pantry, and 587 individuals received clothing and household items at no cost. A Christmas gift shop is also held each year and each child participating receives three new toys or gifts, hats, gloves and treats. Transportation assistance through gasoline gift cards has also been provided.

The Covered With Love resale shop, which provides clothing and household items, was also located in the Byron Street facility. After completing a remodel, the former McElhaney-Hart (Deal Rice) Funeral Home, 338 E. Washington Street, became the home of Covered With Love. In addition to being open to the public, this shop also hosts United With Love’s clothing and household voucher program which allows neighbors to receive goods from the thrift store up to twice a year. Proceeds from this thrift store help to fund other United With Love ministries. Its hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rose Stoffel manages the Covered With Love resale shop.

United With Love follows the scripture, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity,” – Colossians 3:14. The organization provides many opportunities to engage churches, organizations, businesses, and individuals actively in their mission of lovingly caring for their neighbors in ways that empower and transform their lives.

For more information about United With Love, call (260) 356-0933, visit lovehuntington.org or email: officemanager@lovehuntington.org.