Members of the board of Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Projects, a locally based non-profit were faced with difficult choices as they considered more than $64,000 in requests for grants in the first of three granting cycles of 2010. Recognizing that some of the requests were to assist families to buy food and pay for heat this winter, the board weighed its decisions on the urgency of need, funding some requests in full, some partially, and others were tabled for consideration in the next grant cycle. In this round, a total of $24,550 was granted, bringing the grand total since the first grants were made in April 2005 to more than $227,000. Grants in the current round ranged from $250 to $5,000. Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity received a $5,000 grant to support the Charlotte Affordable Family Home Ownership Project, which will enable three families to fulfill the dream of owning their own homes. The Habitat application said, in part, "The support we receive from community organizations, like SCHIP, is invaluable and will give us leverage for even more funding from local sources."

The mission of SCHIP, which was formed in 2003 by 10 faith communities in the three towns, is to work together to raise funds for grants to improve the lives of neighbors and strengthen the communities. Funds are raised through the operation of SCHIP’s Treasure Resale Shop on Route 7 in Shelburne Village where donated good used clothing and household items are sold. The next grant deadline will be the last day of May. Grant information and forms can be picked up at SCHIP’s Treasure Resale Shop, 5404 Shelburne Rd. in Shelburne, or at the offices of the Town Clerks in Shelburne, Charlotte, and Hinesburg.

The ten faith communities that make up SCHIP are All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Charlotte Congregational, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Jude’s, St. Catherine of Siena, Shelburne United Methodist, United Church of Hinesburg, Vermont Zen Center, Ascension Lutheran and Trinity Episcopal.