The Benevolent Fund: Allows a Quick Response
Last week we told you about an exciting opportunity where donations made to the Benevolent Fund between January 18 and February 15th will be matched up to $10,000. If you missed the announcement and want to learn more about what the Benevolent fund is, please read last week’s post. This week we continue our campaign with an example of why this fund is so important for the church.
Benevolent Fund Allows Quick Responses
One of the most important roles of the Benevolent Fund is its ability to respond in the moment.
When someone reaches out in crisis, help is often needed now. Public systems and community agencies do extremely important work, but they can take time. For example, in Calgary right now, emergency food hampers from the Calgary Food Bank are being booked two to three weeks out due to high demand and limited availability.
That means on any given day, someone without enough food today might not be able to access that level of support for days or weeks. This gap is driven in large part by the reality that food bank demand in Alberta has increased 28.1% in the last year.
This is where the Benevolent Fund matters: it allows the church to say “yes” when timing matters, offering short-term, practical support while longer-term help is being arranged. Because this fund exists, the Pastoral Care Minister and ministry team can respond quickly, confidentially, and with care for real need. Gifts to the Benevolent Fund provide capacity: the ability for the church to act timely, compassionately, and responsibly when someone has nowhere else to turn.
Matching Donation Opportunity
Thanks to the generosity of a committed supporter, our community has been given a remarkable opportunity: all gifts to the Benevolent Fund will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be sharing stories and insights into the meaningful work this fund makes possible, and the many ways it quietly strengthens individuals and families in times of need.
Your contribution during this matching period will go twice as far, providing sustained support for a ministry that plays a vital role in our shared life together.
How to Donate
Cheque/cash made out to McDougall United Church- Memo: Benevolent Fund
E-transfer to office@mcdunited.com – Memo: Benevolent Fund
https://www.mcdunited.com/donate- Select “Benevolent Fund” from the dropdown menu
Following service at RDLUC at the Hub
