Local churches donate nearly $13 million to pay off medical debts of families in this community

United Church of Christ congregations and the Deaconess Foundation in St. Louis collaborated with New York-based nonprofit RIP Medical Debt in order to pay off medical debts of around 11,000 families in the community amounting to almost $13 million.

“Please note that we only addressed those who are living at or below poverty — people who should not have to worry about the cost of health care anyway,” Rev. Traci Blackmon told a gathering at Christ the King United Church of Christ.

“We hope this will be a shot of hope into our region, a shot of hope into our neighborhoods; we hope it will challenge and spur other denominations and other churches.”

Fourteen UCC congregations raised about $60,000 and the Deaconess Foundation matched $40,000 for the campaign. The donations bought out debt for families in 78 zip codes in the St. Louis region.

Read more here: https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3629/St-Louis-Churches-Erase-Nearly-13-Million-In-Medical-Debt-For-Families-In-The-Community