Christ Church Lazarus Emergency Financial Ministry

These are unprecedented times. Right now, many of us are experiencing anger, sadness, and fear over the current state of our country. Inflation is hitting families hard. Gas prices are soaring. Jobs are hard to find. Families are seeing their loved ones detained and deported by ICE. Others are afraid to leave home to pick up their kids from the bus stop or go to work. Pending cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits will have a devastating impact on families. In Alexandria, 10.1% of families rely on Medicaid healthcare, and 4,400 households receive SNAP. 

Many of us feel hopeless and at a loss as to how to help our neighbors. 

These families are at risk of devastating outcomes if nothing is done to help them. The loss of one wage earner, or one car repair, or one snowstorm can have crushing ripple effects on a family. Often, a shortage of a few hundred dollars means the electricity is shut off or back rent begins to snowball and eviction becomes imminent. 

This is where the Christ Church Lazarus Emergency Financial Ministry comes in. We focus on paying Alexandrians’ rent, utilities, and medical bills to keep them safe and stable in these uncertain times. We serve your landscapers, construction workers, grocery clerks, home care aids, house cleaners, restaurant staff and many other vocations that make all our daily lives function. 

Today we ask you to support the Christ Church Lazarus Ministry with our goal of raising $120,000. Help us turn fear into action and bring hope to our neighbors.

So far in 2026, we have assisted 210 households with a total of $81,648 in funds, primarily for rent. Your donation toward our goal of $120,000 will enable the Lazarus Ministry to help another 280 households who are faced with difficult financial decisions. 

This funding will also allow us to meet the growing need among our Spanish-speaking community. Calls to our Spanish-language intake line have increased 36% since this time last year, and they account for 25% percent of the households we’ve served so far.

I cannot thank Lazarus enough for all the support and assistance ... when we were still struggling after my surgery when I could not work for almost a month. Because of Christ Church/Lazarus assistance … we could really see the light on the other side of the tunnel. We really hope that you can raise more funds to be able to keep your mission to help people up and running. Thank you again from the bottom of our heart for the help and assistance we received. -YA

Beyond the emergency financial assistance that your donations support, the Lazarus Ministry is a critical connector between Alexandria residents and local government and nonprofit services. Our trained counselors talk with people at some of the most stressful times in their lives, offering a kind and compassionate response along with information about resources like food pantries, job fairs, clothing giveaways, and other ways to get help in Alexandria.

In the words of one of our counselors, “I am so proud to live in a city like Alexandria where the City Government, Social Services, the Congregations and non-profits are working hand in hand to see that our families and children are safe, fed, and housed.”

Lazarus Ministry has helped me at my absolute lowest place in life. I experienced mental health issues that forced me to resign from my job. I didn’t face eviction because of your organization. I was provided resources for food, electricity assistance, and just love from your volunteers. I was given so much support ... and I’m forever grateful for your organization! –AC

Your donations make this ministry possible. Thanks to your help, in 2025 we were able to fund 611 requests for assistance with rent, utilities, medical bills, and other household expenses. Your generosity kept people housed and current on rent, and ensured they could keep the lights, heat, and air on.

Thank you for your support! 

The Lazarus Emergency Financial Ministry is one of the Outreach Ministries of Christ Church Alexandria. Learn more about our parish, how we serve the community, and how you can help, by visiting historicchristchurch.org.