Stark County Good Samaritan Fund
PO
Box 233
Toulon, IL 61483

Who
Are We?
The Stark County Good Samaritan Fund (SCGSF) is a
501(c)(3) organization. We came into being in late 1995
early 1996.
Concern arose among several individuals and clergy in the
county that there were some hard working people who were
slipping through the cracks. These families were working and
didn't qualify for most State or Federal programs. We felt
that these people should not suffer unduly simply because
they were working and in between earning too much for
welfare and too little to adequately prepare for the
inevitable financial reversals that we all encounter.
Thus with the help of Stark County area clergy and a
small but dedicated group of individuals we created a
not-for-profit cooperation under the laws of the State of
Illinois. We called it the Stark County Good Samaritan
Fund.
Where Do We Get Our
Funds?
We have used various ways to raise money, but ultimately
we are funded by the generous people of Stark County.
We conduct fund rasing activities such as gospel sings,
ice cream socials, the sale of Christmas cards designed by
local area children, and this year we are working with the
John Deer Classic program Birdies for Charity to raise
funds.
Each year we need to raise a little over $10,000 for
relief of the working poor. We have run out of funds in the
past, but the folks of Stark County have always been
generous.
How Does it Work?
Applications are taken mostly by local clergy from
working families in the area that have needs beyond their
means to pay. We provide stop gap assistance to get them
back on their feet. We pay for a variety of services. About
one third of all funds will be used to pay utility bills.
Another one third will pay for housing, rent or mortgage
payments. The final third will end up going for everything
from medical services, to car mufflers. Our aim is to keep
the people in their present homes, to keep their car working
so they can get to work and to get them needed medical
attention so that they can work.
We have a board that determines who qualifies for help
and how much help we can give them. The board also governs
all other aspects of the organization.
We help working families. How do we define working
families? At least one person in the family must be
gainfully employed. We require pay stubs as proof.
Our definition also includes families where the sole wage
earner has been injured and is unable to work, as long as
they are not receiving SSI payments. We will continue to
help these families unless they qualify for permanent
government assistance. If there is another person in the
family who is also gainfully employed, then they would still
qualify.
Our definition also includes families where the wage
earner has lost their job if they had a steady work record
previous to their unemployment. People not making an effort
to find work do not qualify.
Our definition also includes families where the wage
earner has retired.
We Refer
As best we can we refer people to other organizations for
assistance. We work with the Illinois Energy Assistance
Program administered by Tri-County Opportunities
Council.
We send those who qualify to their township supervisor or
the Resource House or the Salvation Army.
Since most of our board members are pastors, many
churches in the county also assist clients rather than using
SCGSF monies.
Some of our board members are also a part of other
organizations such as Lion's Club, Resource House,
Tri-County Opportunities Council and the Salvation Army.
We Have Limits
We are limited to the gifts we receive. We can never give
out more than we receive. We have a maximum help amount set
by the board. When our balance drops, the maximum help we
can give for an emergency also drops.
We generally help people only twice in a twelve month
period. There are some exceptions depending on the amount of
money given to the client over the past year. We explain to
the client this rule. We also reserve the right to refuse
people who are regular repeaters over long periods.
We try to be good stewards of the gifts we receive and
yet be compassionate to people in need.
When Jesus had finished the story of the Good Samaritan,
He told the people, "Go and do the same." The Good Samaritan
Fund is trying to do that. We have been touched by the love
and compassion of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have a desire
to continue His work in this world. Many good Samaritans in
Stark County help us be the hands and feet of Jesus as we
minister to the needs of the working poor in our county. We
hope you will help. And if you need help, just contact a
pastor in Stark County. We will take the information and
hopefully we will be able to be Jesus to you.
Send donations to:
Stark County Good Samaritan Fund
PO Box 233
Toulon, IL 61483
Jesus Tells of the Good
Samaritan
"A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to
Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him
of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half
dead beside the road.
"By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw
the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the
road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and
looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the
other side.
"Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw
the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the
Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged
them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to
an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed
the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care
of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said,
'I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.'
"Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to
the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.
The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."
Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."
Luke 10:30-37 NLT
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