The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

April 16, 2009

Churches to collaborate

Groups looking to provide aid to homeless

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — As fallout from the economic recession continues to rain on local families, Steve Kidder said he knows his church’s generosity is more needed than ever.

Kidder, who is associate pastor of Christ the King Lutheran and is this year’s chair of the Mankato Area Ministerial Association, said churches have an obligation to aid the hungry, poor and homeless. But until now, no unified procedure existed to coordinate resources among agencies and ensure the maximum number of individuals receive help.

“We’re having three, four, sometimes even five people walking into the church every day,” said Kidder of the rise in individuals seeking the church’s financial assistance. “And it’s getting worse.”

Earlier this year, officials from the Mankato Area Ministerial Association — which meets monthly throughout much of the year — requested the audience of all directors of local programs that serve the poor in the community. More than a dozen agencies such as the Salvation Army and Theresa House shelter responded, and conversations about collaboration began in earnest.

In the last fiscal year, the 18-bed Theresa House, which serves homeless women and children, turned away more than 800 families because it was already full. The Salvation Army’s men’s shelter runs at capacity for the five winter months it’s open. Kidder said the hope is that the group can begin to formulate a coordinated effort to begin addressing the growing number of people who can’t find help.

“Obviously, churches are not banks,” Kidder said. “But a lot of people legitimately need help. ... Hopefully, we can come together on this.”

Part of the problem, say members of the Ministerial Association, is the number of people who try and take advantage of local charity. Arne Jessen, an interim pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran, said church leaders are well aware of those that travel from church to church with their hands out.

If agencies worked together, Jessen said, the potential for double-dipping would be reduced. Att the same time, the capacity to link individuals with the proper resources would be increased.

“Churches can’t just stop giving out money,” Jessen said. “Jesus clearly identifies with the poor and you can’t have a policy incongruent with the Gospel.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News