The McUMC Crisis Ministry Fund is available to our neighbors going through difficult times and seeking temporary financial help. McUMC offers assistance to victims of housefires, flooding, and other natural disasters. We prepare fire kits to help families get back on their feet. Multiple changes of clothing, toiletries, and linens are just some of the things that we provide to families suffering from catastrophic loss.

For families and individuals experiencing financial difficulty for other reasons, there are guidelines and requirements to prevent misuse of the fund. We provide assistance with utility bills (gas, electric, water), medical expenses, emergency autmobile gas, and other similar needs.

McUMC works in close cooperation with Needline and the Marshall County Sherrif to maintain updated records and information on those seeking assistance. To prevent abuse of the system, we frequently share information with other agencies on a request basis.

The following guidelines are utilized in each situation.

1. We believe that every person who comes to us for aid has been sent by God. Therefore our response will be loving, grace-filled, and merciful. Our actions and words will reflect and communicate the Gospel.

2. For purposes of accountability, those applying for assistance will be asked to provide detailed personal information, including but not limited to:

• Social Security Number

• Contact Information

• Detailed Household Income Information

• Educational Background

• Church Affiliation (this will NOT determine the level of assistance, but will aid us in meeting your spiritual needs as well as financial needs)

• Detailed description of the crisis

3. All information will be kept confidential with the following exceptions: The names and contact information for each applicant will be provided to the nearest United Methodist congregation.

4. We also reserve the right to share this information with other outreach/assistance/crisis ministry agencies in the region for the purpose of preventing abuse of the system.

5. There is a limit to the amount of monetary assistance we are able to provide. There is a monthly limit and there is a yearly limit. The Director of Program and the New to You Manager have the ability to exceed those limits at their discretion. The churches of the cooperative may be contacted and called upon to help meet special long term or high-cost needs in extenuating circumstances.

6. Assistance will be provided directly to the agency, vendor, business, or utility. Cash will not be provided.

7. Representatives of McUMC will maintain contact with each applicant to maintain the relationship and to determine if there are further needs that might be met by the cooperative ministry.

8. Persons with addictions will be encouraged to seek counseling and support to overcome their difficulties.

9. Any person seeking assistance for a second time must enroll and participate in Financial Skills and Job Readiness classes/counseling.

10. Exceptions to these guidelines are expected, however, each instance must be reported in detail to the Board of Directors.

All submitted requests will be acknowledged. Please be patient, as the volume of mail dictates the time of response. We will not be using an auto responding system, but a live person will read and reply to your request.

For information on this and other aspects of your cooperative ministry, contact Jerri Cross at 270 527-5147.