Episcopal Relief & Development
Contact

(0) My Cart

Gifts for Life Donate Now
menu
search
  • What We Do
    • Priorities
      • Women
      • Children
      • Climate
    • Integrated Approach
      • Agriculture
      • Asset-Based Community Development
      • Clean Water
      • Disaster Resilience
      • Gender Equality & GBV
        • 16 Days of Activism Toolkit
        • Ending GBV in Liberia
      • Global Goals
      • Malaria – NetsforLife®
      • Maternal & Child Health
        • Early Childhood Development
      • Micro-finance
      • Sanitation & Hygiene
    • US Disaster Program
      • Emergency Responses
      • Long-term Recovery
      • Understanding the 3 Phases of disasters
      • What Can I Do During Disasters?
      • The Episcopal Asset Map and Disasters
      • Resource Library
    • Ukraine Crisis Response
    • COVID-19 Pandemic Response
  • Where We Work
    • Africa
      • Angola
      • Burundi
      • Democratic Republic of Congo
      • Ghana
      • Kenya
      • Liberia
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Namibia
      • South Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia
      • Myanmar [Burma]
      • The Philippines
      • Sri Lanka
      • Vanuatu
    • Latin America & the Caribbean
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
      • Cuba
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Haiti
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
    • The Middle East
    • United States
  • Who We Are
    • Mission and Mandate
    • History
    • Financials and Annual Reports
      • Financials Archive
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Board And Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
  • What You Can Do
    • Give
      • Donate Now
      • Sustainers Circle
      • Planned Giving
        • Matthew 25 Legacy Society
      • Other Giving Opportunities
        • Corporate Matching
        • Honor and Memorial Gifts
        • Gifts of Stock or Securities
        • Combined Federal Campaign
        • IRA Charitable Rollover Gifts
      • Our Pledge to Donors
    • Stay Informed
      • Stories
      • Sign Up
      • Newsletters
        • Seek & Serve – Newsletter
        • US Disaster News
    • Volunteer
      • Become a Ministry Partner
        • Congregational Recognition Program
      • Great Ideas to Help Make a Difference
    • Pray
    • Careers
    • Faith Formation
  • Press & Resources
    • 2023 Press Releases
      • Episcopal Relief & Development Receives Research Grant from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to Study Early Childhood Development Work
      • Supporting Partners in Türkiye and Syria after the February 2023 Earthquake
      • Episcopal Relief & Development and Trinity Church Wall Street Announce Five-Year Partnership to Build Resilience for One Million People Worldwide
    • 2022 Press Releases
      • Supporting Humanitarian Response to the Crisis in Ukraine
      • Episcopal Relief & Development Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Haiti Earthquake Response
    • Stories
      • Mapping Assets Builds Resilience
      • A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
      • Partnering to Uphold the Dignity of Marginalized Communities in Honduras
    • Photo + Video
    • Online press kit
    • Media contact information
  • Church in Action
    • 2023 Lenten Meditations
    • Abundant Life Garden Project®
    • Church Resources
      • Worship Resources
      • Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
      • Pray
      • Bulletin Inserts
      • Materials
    • Faith Formation
      • Educational Resources
      • Abundant Life Garden Project®
      • Coloring Book
      • Lectio Divina
Home | Stories | Utility, Medical and Food Assistance in Appalachia

Utility, Medical and Food Assistance in Appalachia

share
Volunteers help sort through canned goods at a local foodbank. | Photo courtesy of Grace House on the Mountain.

When medical facilities tending to COVID-19 reach capacity, getting medical attention is extremely difficult for many Americans and especially during the peak outbreak in March 2020. 

Appalachia is no different, having been profoundly affected by COVID-19, both with the number of cases and economic impacts. 

In St. Paul, Virginia, patients who needed treatments and procedures for other illnesses were forced to find their own housing or commute from far distances. Grace House on the Mountain, a 100-year old outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, was able to help with lodging. 

Leaders noticed that needs were growing beyond the usual house repair requests, so they expanded Grace House’s outreach. Coal miners, factory workers and other laborers were laid off, and utility and medical costs began piling up.

In partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development, local county food banks, the Appalachian Community Action and Development (AppCAA) and diocesan support, Grace House helped over 8,000 people to fill their prescriptions, keep the lights on in their homes and feed their families. 

“The entire process has been memorable,” says Anita Boyd, the director of the ministry, as she described the emotional responses from the people Grace House was able to support. “Everyone was so appreciative.”

Sign up for News
Order Gifts for Life!

Read the Latest Stories

Quick Links

Prayers for Those Affected by Disaster

The Episcopal Asset Map 

Resources & Learning

Click below to access our Resource Library and learn more about our efforts around the world.

Discover

LENTEN MEDITATIONS

THIS LENT, WE INVITE YOU TO REFLECT
ON THE QUESTION, “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?”

Read More
Episcopal Relief & Development
QUICK LINKS
  • Who We Are
  • Sign Up
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
Connect With Us
  • 1.855.312.4325
  • info@episcopalrelief.org
© 2023 Episcopal Relief & Development
  • Privacy Statement
  • Sitemap

Sign up to receive the latest stories.

15987