Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministries (KREM) assisted 89 households on 118 occasions in 2013, providing $43,848 in support. Board members and area clergy reviewing 2013 activity at KREM’s annual meeting in March noted these levels of need continue to rise compared to previous years.

Provision of heating fuels, the largest assistance category, nearly doubled from $10,233 in 2012 to $18,884 in 2013.

“KREM is a blessing, not only for those who are served by this great ministry, but also for us pastors who are free to give our attention to other matters,” said the Reverend Charles Glidewell of First Baptist Church in New London.

KREM meets the emergency needs of people in the Kearsarge/Sunapee region when other services are unavailable, covering in 13 local areas: Andover, Bradford, Danbury, Elkins, Georges Mills, New London, Newbury, Salisbury, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner, and Wilmot.

Volunteers work personally and confidentially with those seeking help to find the best type of assistance for each situation, including heating fuel, household utilities, and auto repair expenses.

KREM was founded in 2001 as an ecumenical response to local need by five New London churches: First Baptist Church, Christian Science Society, Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Financial support for KREM comes from these and other area churches, businesses, organizations, and individual contributions. The ongoing work of KREM lies in its continued financial support, its volunteers, and a community willing to address the needs of its most vulnerable residents.

More information about KREM is available at NHKREM.org or by contacting one of the five New London churches mentioned above. The mailing address for KREM is PO Box 1465, New London 03287.