Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministries (KREM) recently received a grant from the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund. Grant money will support KREM’s ongoing ecumenical mission of meeting emergency needs of people in the Kearsarge/Sunapee region when other services are not available.

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund awards grants to tax-exempt organizations, without regard to religious affiliation, for projects that help people in New Hampshire meet their basic needs. The fund is operated by volunteers – lay men and women – who serve as Directors and who make recommendations to the Bishop of Manchester for grants to any organization in New Hampshire whose mission is consistent with its guidelines. The Fund raises money through solicitation of individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.

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

During 2012, KREM provided $40,871 in assistance in 128 instances to households in Andover, Bradford, Danbury, Elkins, Georges Mills, New London, Salisbury, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner, and Wilmot.

KREM volunteers, called Stewards, work with those seeking help to find the best type of assistance for each situation. To meet the diverse needs of those seeking help, KREM has developed strong collaborative relationships with other area churches, businesses, organizations, individuals and towns. The ongoing work and success 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 from any of the five founding churches based in New London. The mailing address is: KREM, P.O. Box 1465, New London, N.H. 03287.