Working in concert with the St. Ignace Food Pantry, a new charity will soon be available in St. Ignace for people who find themselves in urgent need of household goods or human services. It is called St. Ignace Area Hope, or "Project Hope," and is being formed by local pastors who want to open a thrift store to offer low cost used clothing and household goods.

They will also help match people to appropriate programs of human services agencies like Community Action Agency, Department of Human Services, Diane Peppler Center, Crisis Pregnancy Center, Catholic Social Services, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Salvation Army, and Goodwill.

"The idea is to provide real, immediate hope to people in serious need," said Tom McClelland, secretary of the project. "St. Ignace Area Hope, or Project Hope as some may call it, does not replace any current community organization, and we are blessed with quite a few. Rather, Hope will meet some of a family's simplest short-term needs while helping them understand and seek assistance through numerous other support agencies."

If community fundraising efforts go well, Hope may also be able to provide minimal but critically needed financial assistance in certain areas, Mr. McClelland said. Transportation, overnight shelter, providing a meal, or help with some overdue bills may be made possible.

"This will depend on our success in community fundraising and the degree of financial support over the long haul provided by local businesses and individuals," Mr. McClelland said.

Right now, the project is in the stage of seeking interested volunteers to answer telephones, and planners are evaluating a couple of different sites for a future thrift store, Mr. McClelland said.

Those who want to learn more about helping the project may contact the pastors of any of the following churches: St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, Zion Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, Assembly of God, Evangelical Free Church, or Glen Memorial Baptist Church. Letters may also be sent via e-mail to hope@lighthouse.net or by mail to P.O. Box 170, St. Ignace, Michigan 49781.