For some, the U.S. economy has improved slightly. Yet there are others in our midst who continue to struggle. These people are faced with chronic need — the elderly, those on long-term disability and fixed-incomes, etc. They are our neighbors and family members, fellow congregants or classmates whose circumstances are unlikely to change in the near future. And they need our help.
Thankfully, the Chesed Fund was started five years ago by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City to provide support for those who find themselves in challenging financial circumstances on an on-going basis. The fund helps Jewish residents living in the five counties in Greater Kansas City whose situation is unlikely to change or will not improve with one-time emergency assistance.
“The Federation established The Chesed Fund in 2007 because even then we saw a rising need among people with chronic financial challenges,” said Shari Stimetz, Federation assistant executive director. “Chesed was launched with a $50,000 grant from the Menorah Legacy Foundation and has received generous support from funds at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, including the Legacy Fund.”
Jewish Family Services works in partnership with the Federation to administer The Chesed Fund.
In its first year, The Chesed Fund helped 11 people disbursing a total of $7,196. In contrast, during the first six months of 2012, The Chesed Fund has distributed $113,330 to 107 individuals/families and will surpass 2011 in both the number of people helped and dollars allocated.
“People are not finding jobs as quickly and the need for financial assistance is needed for a longer period of time,” Stimetz said. “There are unexpected situations that come into one’s life that eat up savings and can devastate a family — like a prolonged illness.”
More financial donations are needed to replenish the Chesed Fund.
“We never know from year to year what the fund will need, but from our experience and the stats, we need to raise more money,” Stimetz said. “We don’t turn away anyone whose need is validated even if we don’t have the money in the fund. The Federation advances it and is paid back as we raise the funds.”
As an incentive, Frances O. Brown recently made a generous challenge grant gift to the Chesed Fund through the Jacob and Frances O. Brown Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation. The challenge grant, in the amount of $5,000, was put in place in early August to motivate other potential givers and has already proved fruitful.
Jewish Community Foundation staff is happy to help in situations like these: “Because the Jewish Community Foundation works with all of the Jewish community’s major funders, we are able to match up individual donors with causes that speak to them,” said Lauren Hoopes, JCF executive director. “In this case, we let Frances know about the need and helped her come up with a creative way to leverage her donation.
“Anyone can make a challenge grant to the Chesed program, or any other community funded program. All they need to do is contact us and we can help them make it happen.”
To donate directly to the Chesed Fund, contact Shari Stimetz at 913-327-8102 or , or donate online at www.jewishkansascity.org. If you are interested in creating a new Chesed challenge grant, or making a donation from your JCF donor advised fund, contact Beatrice Fine, director of funder services and education, at 913-327-4618 or .