Interfaith Community Services holds its annual holiday open house on Friday, Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Guests, and in particular ICS volunteers, are invited for holiday goodies, door prizes, raffles and good cheer at ICS' 2820 W. Ina Road location, on the grounds of Christ the King Episcopal Church.
ICS is a volunteer-based nonprofit that serves the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged with a food bank, Mobile Meals, emergency financial assistance, caregiving services and health advocacy.
The need for ICS's services has never been greater, a release said.
In the year that ended June 30, the number of individuals it served in Pima County increased to 36,331, a 49 percent increase over the previous year. The value of food it distributed to Tucson and Pima County residents increased 25 percent, to $519,924. Financial assistance to qualified Pima County residents increased 30 percent to $524,380. With the help of its 600 volunteers, it delivered 23,670 Mobile Meals and provided 10,919 caregiving services, including transportation, shopping, home repair and weekday phone calls.
Arizona recognizes ICS as a "qualified charitable organization," meaning that a donation to ICS entitles an individual to a tax credit of up to $200 and a married couple, filing jointly, up to $400.
Go to ICS's Web site — www.icstucson.org — for information on how to donate or volunteer, or call 520-297-6049.
