Lend a Hand in a Time of Need

The following blog was submitted by Pastor Marsha Anderson, who is one of six Pastors at Trinity.

Lately, two of the biggest items in the news have been HEALTH CARE and the ECONOMY. And, few people know that Trinity has a fund that can help with both!

The Lend a Hand fund is set aside for people who are experiencing financial hardship due to a medical event. It is especially true for Trinity members, or people who are closely associated with our congregation.

There are several different situations that the Lend a Hand fund can help with. A person is likely to qualify if they have non-covered catastrophic medical expenses, non-covered prescriptions or equipment associated with a catastrophic illness or injury, or dislocation costs resulting from medical care received out-of-area (i.e. transportation, lodging, food, childcare costs).

In order to receive funds, an application form must be completed (available in the church office). After that is turned in to the church office, a small committee reviews the application to determine eligibility and level of funding. The maximum amount is $5,000 per family per year. If funding is approved, the minimum amount is $250. And, of course, the application and the committee’s decisions are confidential. In order to receive funds, the applicant must be a resident of Clay or Cass County.

The Lend a Hand fund was established in 2008 as a result of a partnership between Trinity and the Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF).

Through Lend a Hand, we are also able to hold fundraisers at Trinity to help a person or family in need, with potential matching funds from DMF. If such an event would be helpful to your family or to someone you know, please talk with a pastor or a parish nurse.

You can donate to Trinity’s Lend a Hand fund at any time. One option is to simply write a check to Trinity with ‘Lend a Hand’ in the memo line. Or, you can donate online: Visit www.dakmed.org/lendahand. Click ‘learn more/make a donation’ at the top of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Next to ‘Trinity Lutheran Church of Moorhead’ click ‘donate now.’