There are those of us who live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have much saved for a rainy day, but we still must face the unexpected obstacles of fixing the car, an emergency doctor bill or some other situation that was not included in the monthly budget. There are plenty of community organizations that help with utilities and food, but what about your child’s emergency room visit? Now, there is an online resource devoted to helping those who help themselves. Have you heard of Modest Needs?
Since 2002, the Modest Needs Foundation, a non-profit organization, has been funding those who need help with unplanned financial hardships. While the organization cannot yet help all who apply for assistance, Modest Needs has been able to help over 2600 individuals overcome hard times. What is funded is determined by those who run the Modest Needs Foundation, but if you need help with an unexpected bill, Modest Needs could be the answer.
Modest Needs is a website that is funded by donations from the public, these funds are used to help others. This concept has been proven to be a very rewarding experience for all involved. While those who need financial assistance are encouraged to check out the site and read the guidelines for applying, those that are able to contribute financially are sincerely needed as well. Every dollar donated is matched 100% through 2007 until
the grant reaches a specified amount.
For those that may need to apply for assistance, there is a lengthy application process that is outlined on the website. Basically, after signing up for a Modest Needs account, you’ll have to get all of your supporting documentation together for the application. This entails having your government ID, a utility bill in your name, current mortgage or rental agreement with amount paid per month, a copy of pay stubs for everyone working in the household and a written estimate of the issue you would like funded by Modest Needs.
On the Modest Needs website you will also find links to other agencies that assist the public in times of need. In the application area there is a link titled “Search Other Resources”. On the first page of this area you will find the newest resources that have been added, but you have the option of searching the resources as well. Enter your state, or the type of assistance needed, to narrow down the available options.
It is nice to know that there are still people, even complete strangers, that are willing to help when times are tough. Modest Needs will not be able to help everyone, due to a number of reasons, but don’t let that stop you from applying. At the very least, you may be able to find the assistance you are looking for by using the local resources that can be found within the Modest Needs site.
Reference:
- Modest Needs – www.modestneeds.org
