"Good Samaritan Fund 2010"
The Good Samaritan Fund continues to assist members of Grace and the Cambridge community in their time of need. Assistance given through this fund normally consists of gas ($25.00 limit) and limited assistance with rent, utilities, and other emergency needs. The use of the fund is limited to five times a year per individual. All requests for assistance with food are now referred to the Cambridge Food Pantry. In addition to the Good Samaritan Fund our church is also an agent for the Salvation Army. This year the Good Samaritan Fund helped with over 70 requests for assistance.
When seeking assistance from the Good Samaritan Fund the individual meets with the pastor. The pastor evaluates the need and determines the amount of assistance based on amount of resources available. In most cases the amount will not exceed $75. Any expense over that amount requires council approval. The pastor will also make the individual aware of other possible resources. It is also explained that the fund is not designed to provide assistance on a regular basis.
Contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund are deposited in two different accounts. Most donations are currently kept in the general account. All gas assistance is handled through a charge account that has been established with a local gas station. Donations to the Good Samaritan Fund are then used to pay for those charges. There is also a checking account that is used for all other types of assistance. Donations from the general account are transferred to this checking account when the balance needs to be raised.
The need continues to grow as our economy continues to be bad. Congregational members can give to the Good Samaritan Fund by placing offerings marked “Good Samaritan Fund” in our regular offering. Thanks for your continued support of this effort!
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