Cost of Living Response Fund launched by Stewardship 

A new appeal to fundraise for charities and churches providing emergency relief in the face of the cost of living crisis has launched

The Cost of Living Response Fund has been created by Christian charity Stewardship.

The charity is issuing an urgent call to action to raise support for those struggling to meet their most basic needs, and to help churches cover their costs so they can continue to serve their communities both practically and spiritually.

'At Stewardship, we believe God meets people’s needs through the generosity of his Church,' the appeal states.  

'Our Cost of Living Response Fund will move your support to where the need is greatest: safely, securely and quickly.

'It is a collective pot for us to join forces and give what we can to help those most in need.' 

The fund will focus on three main areas: emergency funding for food banks; for debt centres; and for churches.

'Charities and churches are mobilising to bring practical help and gospel hope this winter – creating safe, warm spaces, urgently replenishing food banks and community stores, and preparing to support those hit the hardest as prices rise and temperatures fall,' the appeal continues.

'We have a unique opportunity to come together to support charities and churches in their mission to meet people's basic needs and share the hope of Jesus.' 

Stewardship is building on its previous experience in running successful fundraising campaigns. In recent times these have provided critical support in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, which raised and distributed close to £5 million, the Ukraine war and, more recently, the floods in Pakistan.

A key goal for Stewardship is to provide long-term support for the duration of the emergency created by the current economic crisis. The call to action is focused on regular giving rather than one-off gifts so the fund can in turn provide consistent support to Stewardship’s church and charity partners, allowing them to budget and plan during this unstable period.

Stewardship, established in 1906, serves more than 30,000 donors and nearly 13,000 charities, churches and Christian workers.

'Stewardship is perfectly positioned to connect givers with causes where the need is greatest,' said CEO Stewart McCulloch. 'We will distribute the fund to provide emergency relief, to support food banks and debt relief centres, and to help vulnerable churches keep their doors open and their welcomes warm.'
 

Visit Stewardship’s Cost of Living Response Fund web page here

Is your church opening as a warm space this winter? If so, register it here: warmwelcome.uk