Good Samaritan Fund
For over 2 decades, the Good Samaritan Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has been helping people who suddenly find themselves needing a one-time helping hand (usually a few hundred dollars) so they can get their lives back on track. It only happens because Central Minnesota people contribute to the Good Samaritan Fund. 100% of your gift will go directly to fund qualified emergency needs in the St. Cloud area.
YOU CAN HELP A PERSON, OR A FAMILY
PUT THEIR LIFE BACK ON TRACK!
We work with all St. Cloud Area social service organizations and churches, reviewing cases they are unable to help. We evaluate the circumstances and fund those that are real and worthy. But, we don’t always just provide money; we also advocate, look for other options and partner up with local businesses.
Last Year
Funded 402 cases, average cost at $587
Total assistance provided- $236,000
Worked with every person in need, even if we did not provide funding
Who We Work With
Sometimes people’s difficulties do not fit within the scope of what various social service organizations are able to do. Rather than let these people “fall through the cracks”, these organizations contact us knowing we can — and will — help.
Case Summaries
Case 6789 – Case is from Anna Marie’s Alliance for a single mother with 3 children. The family was fleeing domestic violence and was looking to secure housing after being homeless for the past 3 years. She has secured employment but needs some help covering first month’s rent and deposit. Good Samaritan was able to help pay for 1/3 of these costs together with the County and the client.
Case 7077 – Referral from CentraCare for a couple who both experienced health issues where they fell behind on their bills due to reduced hours at work. They are both back to working full-time but need assistance getting caught back up on their rent. They were able to work with their property manager to get on a payment plan for their past due balance after Good Samaritan was able to help with a substantial amount of their past due balance.
Case 7087 – Referral from Tri-CAP. This case is for a single person who needs vehicle repairs to maintain their employment. The client was able to put some dollars towards the repairs, along with two other community programs. Good Samaritan was able cover the remaining balance for the vehicle repairs from there, making the vehicle safe.
Where We Come From
In 1996, retired banker David Noack learned of a family who needed a refrigerator to store medicine for their child who had a serious illness. Dave generously paid for the fridge, but the experience sparked an idea, what if we could help create a group of people that would support other people in need of one-time assistance. He connected with Dave Marquardt and a few friends, and together they began helping others who were about to "fall through the cracks."
That first year, they funded about ten cases from their own pockets. Realizing the need for a formal structure, they met with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and the Good Samaritan Fund was born. Its mission remains unchanged: to serve one-time emergency needs for individuals in our area.
Current Board Members
- Libbie Brunsvold
- Bruce Campbell
- Lori Greenway
- Abigail Hansen
- Karel Helgeson
- Eric Jungels
- Bob Kovell
- Amber Laudenbach
- Kris Pflepsen
- Megan Pflipsen
- Chuck Rau
- Don Schiffler
- Patti Schiffler
- Mark Thelen
- Joe Torborg