CARRBORO -- The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service Is appealing for $45,000 in new local donations to support its crisis intervention program and match a challenge grant from a North Carolina Foundation, The Steward's Fund.

The IFC is a nonprofit serving low-income families in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the southern Orange County area since 1963. It provides food, shelter, emergency financial support, counseling and related services to families in crisis.

"The challenge grant from The Steward's Fund is available to the IFC on an all-or-nothing basis. We must raise $45,000 in new, increased or lapsed donations to receive the grant, and we are counting on the community to make this happen," said Chris Moran, Executive Director of the IFC.

"Especially with the economy as it stands now, The Steward's Fund has given us a very timely opportunity to leverage more local giving for a total of $90, 000," he said.