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The
Helping Hand Fund is a discretionary fund that I use to assist people
who come to Emmanuel seeking financial help. Most assistance is for
rent to prevent eviction or payment to prevent utility shut off. I have
a personal policy that I set for its use, that I give no more than
$300.00 assistance annually to any one household. If they ask for rent
because they are being evicted, I ask to see the eviction notice and
will often times speak directly with the landlord. If it is a utility
they want paid, I ask to see the utility bill. I do not write checks
directly to the individual unless they are members of the church. I
have turned away a couple of people who have come with requests
repeatedly. I will often ask if the person has contacted A.I.D. or other agencies for help before assisting and, on occasion, will call to verify their story. Depending on the circumstance, I will make partial payment, requiring them find the rest of the money. Of course, there are those who will give a good story and you get burned once in a while, but that is why I won’t help more than once in a year. All transactions are handled in complete confidence to protect the privacy of the individual. Please consider making a special donation to this fund. Just write “Helping Hand Fund” on the memo line of your check and place in your regular giving envelope. On behalf of those for whom you help keep a roof over their heads or lights and heat on, thank you! Pastor Alan To contact us:
Phone: 330-332-5042 Fax: 330-332-4405 Email: lutheran251@gmail.com 251 S. Broadway Avenue Salem, OH 44460 |