Every day, Bob Moore turns families away.

        Sometimes the parents have lost their jobs. Other days, it's a working family with three children barely making a liveable wage, or the single mother who receives government assistance but still can't pay all the bills.

        Each time, it breaks his heart.

        He's not sure where the families go when there's no room left with the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati. He refers them to other shelters — although few places accept two-parent families or teen-age boys. They may stay with friends or relatives, sometimes breaking lease rules and causing both families to wind up homeless. Sometimes the families sleep in their car or on the streets.

        Since 1991, area churches and synagogues have opened their doors to homeless families as part of the network.

        During the day, the parents stay at a day center in Lower Price Hill that has laundry, kitchen and bathroom facilities. They also take classes on parenting, budgeting and nutrition and get help finding housing and employment. Their children attend a nearby school.

        Each evening, a bus takes the families to the church or synagogue, where volunteers cook dinner and interact with the guests. Families sleep in rollaway beds, generally set up in classrooms.

        Each morning, a bus takes the parents to the day center and the children to school.

        Some families stay only a few days. Others need a couple of months.

        Fifteen faith groups take turns hosting the guests, two at a time on a weekly rotation. An additional 50 churches and synagogues cook meals, provide overnight staffing, and donate clothes and other supplies.

        On any given night, up to 32 people have a temporary home through the network. Last year, the network gave aid to 72 families, with 200 children. But Mr. Moore knows others need help.

        The network holds a dinner this week to honor the program's volunteers. He expects about 150 to attend. Next year, Mr. Moore hopes to fill the hall to capacity.

        More volunteers and more congregations in the network means fewer families are turned away.

        To help or for more information, call 471-1100.
       

Feed souls and bellies

        The Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Billy Graham Mission hopes to feed the soul during the preacher's four-day event here June 27-30.

        The Love-in-Action committee and Kroger also want to feed the hungry.

        They have joined for a food drive with the goal of collecting more than a half million pounds of food.

        Kroger is offering coupons good toward the purchase of some items. Food bags and coupons are available at the Billy Graham Mission Office in Swifton Commons, 7030 Reading Road, Suite 420.

        Information: 351-6040 or www.cincymission.org.
       

"Star Wars' and Scripture

        Think the Star Wars series is more than fancy flying and Chewbacca grunts?

        Check out www.faithandvalues.com for the “The Gospel According to Star Wars.” The Lexington-based Web site looks into how the film explores issues of morality, truth and the battles between good and evil.

        May the force be with you.

       For more religion listings, check out Cincinnati.Com, keyword: events. E-mail rthompson@enquirer.com or call 755-4144.

Dioceses paid $5.7M in abuse cases
Plan seeks changes in home-selling rules
Teachers reject merit-pay plan
Deceased officers honored
New Erpenbeck lawyer seen as top trial talent
Soaking could aid Hoosier farmers
Anderson moves on mall plan
Closed meetings fuel feud
Four committed to priesthood
Judge: Teen must be tried in killing
Message defines ministry
New fire station dedicated
Tristate A.M. Report
MCNUTT: Neighborhoods
SAMPLES: Birth control
THOMPSON: Faith Matters
Former school boss in Reading has new job
Teacher returns as volunteer
Warren MRDD weighing request for new tax levy
Advocacy group denounces Mega Millions game
NASCAR gets some schooling
Panel to consider sites for pollution cleanup
Woman sues, claiming sandwich burn
Wright State considering a two-tiered tuition hike
Court: Admission not confidential
Expanded Boone farmers market open
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. board backs cancer-fighting tobacco research
Music hall of fame now open
N. Ky. tries same-sex classes
Re-enactment basis for festival
Soldier charged in baby's death
Spring planting behind schedule