Lake Christian Ministries, Inc

MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE

$1 for $1 matching funds up to $28,000!

Helping Our Neighbors in Need and Providing Hope for the Future

Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) is a regional non-profit that provides food, clothing, household items, crisis financial aid, job readiness, and community connections to assist individuals and families in need in Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.  LCM’s vision is to create a poverty-free SML community where each individual is valued, is connected and lives in hope. To address this vision, LCM's New Tomorrows Program assists neighbors with job readiness, educational opportunities, and community connections. Included in this program is a 14-week Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class that helps participants better understand the barriers that are keeping them in poverty and develop a plan to move toward a more secure future.  

Three years of rising costs for basic living expenses have taken a toll on low income families. High costs for food, housing and utilities have resulted in a 55% increase in the number of local families seeking Lake Christian Ministries services over the past two years. We need your help to address growing needs. Make a donation on SML Gives Day and every $1 donated (up to $28,000) will be matched by anonymous LCM supporters. Together they are offering $28,000 in matching funds to encourage community support.               

In 2024, LCM provided:

• Food assistance to fulfill over 14,178 requests, which provided 254,400 meals for food-insecure families – a 16% increase over 2023.     
• Two mobile food pantries provided food monthly to families in need in the Penhook area. A partnership with Bedford Ride and Franklin County Community Healthcare workers provided the delivery of monthly food supplies from LCM to neighbors who are shut-in at home due to health, age and/or disability.  
• Crisis financial aid was provided to support 1,690 individuals in 544 families. A total of $212,823 was paid directly to service providers for housing; utilities; medical, dental and prescription drug expenses; and other types of crisis assistance.
• Individual relationship-based support for 323 neighbors through the New Tomorrows program. LCM staff and volunteers work together with neighbors one-on-one to make the best use of available services within LCM and in the community; engage in educational support; make community connections; and work toward job readiness.  
• Since its beginning in 2016, the Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class series has benefitted over 140 individuals, helping them move to a more secure future.  
• Holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to more than 3,200 individuals. 
• Back-to-school supplies to 235 children in grades K-12. 
• Warm clothing and gifts to 778 children in vulnerable families, through “A Child’s Christmas” – a 13% increase over 2023.   
• Dental and denture assistance for over 50 neighbors. 
• 33,100 volunteer hours were provided by 275 volunteers to administer LCM’s programs and services.