Growing need for Ministerial Association charities

The North Iowa Ministerial Association seeks to help local families going through hard times, and generous donations make that work possible. Last week, First Presbyterian Church of Lakota gave a boost to the Ministerial Association’s efforts through a donation of $1,700.

Pastor Kent Madison of First Presbyterian Church says his congregation gives toward the mission of the greater church, and they can apply for a grant to get money back from that mission fund to use locally. The Lakota church applied for a grant from North Central Iowa Presbyterian and received $1,200 for the Ministerial Association. The congregation contributed another $500, bringing the total donation to $1,700.

The money will be used for community outreach, for things like rent assistance and fuel assistance. The group also awards scholarships to North Iowa High School students.

The Ministerial Association started a fund to help families with fuel and utility assistance about five years ago, thanks to a $6,000 grant in memory of Betty Kiel. Most of that money has been used, so beginning last year, the group began collecting offerings at community services such as Thanksgiving and Easter to continue its charities.

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