This Associated Press story featuring examples from across the country was printed in today’s edition of The Toledo Blade: Churches help members weather mortgage crisis.

A snippet:

Embracing the religious tradition of helping the poor, pastors around the nation are doubling as financial shepherds for their mortgage-distressed flocks.

“What happens to the lives of people daily is important,” said Jean Beil, a spokesman for Catholic Charities USA. “God calls us to care for the poor.” …

But these faith-based efforts “are just a drop in the bucket,” Beil acknowledged.

Now, while I am not aware of any Monroe-area churches who are specifically involved in the foreclosure crisis, many local congregations have long been involved in ministries and programs that are intended to help local families with financial issues.

Among those projects:

• The Community Meal program supported by God Works! and local churches. There’s a free dinner every night in the city of Monroe and free weekly dinners in some other cities.
• Food pantry programs, some of which are listed here and some of which are run independently.
• The Angel Food Ministries program that provides low-cost food to people of any income level, with the help of partner churches across the country including one in Lambertville.
• Financial literacy classes, some of which have included the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University program. (Upcoming classes include one in Woodhaven.)
• Some of the area thrift shops are run or sponsored by faith-based organizations.