RURAL RETREAT, Va. – A church in Rural Retreat just received national recognition for their work to help families through a program called CarePortal.
The Rural Retreat United Methodist Church was recently recognized in Kansas City for being one of the best small churches in the nation for CarePortal, but they said they don’t do this for the recognition.
“It’s just amazing how much this organization has streamlined what we were all trying to do as individual little churches,” said Nate Montgomery, youth director at Rural Retreat United Methodist Church.
CarePortal is a non-profit organization that connects low-income and foster families to local businesses and churches that can supply them with essential items they need.
“Maybe baby supplies or furniture,” said Barbara Rudolph, CarePortal lead for Rural Retreat United Methodist Church. “Lots of twin beds or toddler beds, or baby beds. Things that families need in a hurry lots of times when they’re taking in children.”
Pastor David Payne said this is just one of many of their church’s labors of love.
“If we, as a church, can’t help people and meet them where they’re at, and offer them a hand, we need to close our doors,” Payne said.
Montgomery, who has made countless deliveries for families, said this is a way for people to find a support system within the community.
“Ultimately, what the program is trying to do is just get people in the community involved in the lives of, particularly, the foster kids that are needing some extra support,” Montgomery said.
Local school teacher, Crystal Evans works directly with families. She said they are beyond grateful.
“We’ve heard the term they feel like we are their guardian angel, they feel very taken care of,” Evans said.
They said being able to see the stress go away for these families is payment enough.