Relief funds help churches keep their doors open

Through relief funds in both the U.S. and Canada, MDS is helping Anabaptist churches keep their doors open, even amid the financial strain caused by COVID-19.

In the U.S., a COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund was created on April 13, and now has been seeded with a combined $800,000 from MDS, Everence and the Mennonite Central Committee.

Anabaptist churches in the U.S. have already submitted over 200 applications, most of which come from churches serving racially or ethnically diverse communities. Their needs center around lost jobs and income that have led to a standstill of ministry in underserved communities that most need hope.

You can help! Donate to the COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund.

In Canada, a Spirit of MDS Fund is offering grants that are helping Canadian churches respond to people in their communities facing hardship due to the virus.

Canadian congregations can apply for grants of up to $1,000  from the $100,000 fund, which was created on April 15. From replenishing a church’s food pantry, to helping a family with emergency bills, the fund has already received 16 applications, and six have been approved.