Policy for Third Place Ministries, Inc. Crisis Fund

The objective of the Third Place Ministries, Inc. Crisis Fund is to provide local residents with emergency assistance to help get them back on their feet. We offer assistance to victims of housefires, flooding, and other natural disasters, including Recovery Kits of clothing, toiletries, and linens.

We offer assistance with utility bills (gas, electric, water), non-narcotic prescription medication, emergency automobile gas, and similar urgent needs. And through our New to You Shop we are able to provide vouchers for children’s school clothing or appropriate outfits for a job interview. (See related link concerning our participation in the Marshall County Work Ready* initiative.)

Despite a great need in the Marshall County area, our funds are not unlimited. We are supported solely by private donations. We must therefore be good stewards of what we have been given and place fair and consistent limits on the amount of assistance we can provide.

Third Place Ministries, Inc. works in cooperation with Needline and the Marshall Co. Sheriff to maintain updated records and information on those seeking assistance. To prevent abuse of the system, we share information with other agencies through Charity Tracker.

The following guidelines are utilized in dealing with each request for assistance:

1. We believe that every person who comes to us for aid has been sent by God. Therefore we will strive to respond to every person with love, grace, and mercy, as Jesus Christ calls each of us to do.

   Furthermore, Third Place Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination in employment and opportunity because of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or military status.

2. For purposes of accountability, those seeking assistance will be asked to provide detailed personal information, including but not limited to:
   • State-issued Identification (driver’s license, etc.)
   • Social Security Number
   • Contact Information
   • Household Income Information
   • Church Affiliation (this will not determine the level of assistance, but will aid us in meeting your spiritual needs as well as financial needs)
   • Detailed description of the emergency

3. We reserve the right to share client information with other outreach / assistance / crisis ministries agencies in the region for the purpose of preventing abuse of the system. All information shared will be entered into Charity Tracker, an online computer network utilized by numerous local charities, churches, and government agencies.
4. The Third Place Ministries, Inc. Crisis Fund is supported solely by private donations. There is a limit to the amount of financial assistance we are able to provide. There is a yearly limit per household, and as funds are available. In the event we are unable to help, referrals to other agencies may be made.
5. Financial assistance will be provided directly to the agency, vendor, business, or utility. Cash will not be provided.
6. Financial counseling may be recommended in certain cases. Persons with addictions will be encouraged to seek counseling and support to overcome their difficulties.

This Crisis Fund is overseen by the Director of Third Place Ministries, Inc. The Director is generally available at our New to You Shop (17 Cope Road, Benton) from 9-noon on Tuesdays.

For information on this and other aspects of Third Place Ministries, Inc, call 270.527.5147.

Updated 6/12/2018

*© Purchase Area Development District and PADD Perspectives, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Purchase Area Development District and PADD Perspectives with appropriate and specific direction to the original content