ALCOA, Tenn. -- A May 1 application deadline is coming up for ministries that need grant funding to serve people struggling with opioid addiction.
 
More than $125,000 is available to assist ministries through grant money, left over from Holston Annual Conference mission offerings in 2019 and 2020, according to the Connectional Ministries staff.
 
Ministries that help fight opioid addiction in communities may include:
 

• Partnership with school-based opioid intervention
• Basic needs for persons with addiction or their families
• Christian education to reduce stigma
• Mentoring/ peer recovery specialist certification
• Recovery ministries
• Transportation ministries
• Family engagement and support
• Mental health or first-aid training
• Narcan training
• Other ideas

 
“We are accepting applications now through May 1 for the first round of applications, then a second round that will have a deadline of September 1,” said Charlotte Riggins, connectional ministries staff. “Churches and missional hubs with existing or new ministries that help families or individuals struggling are encouraged to apply.”

Download application now.
 
In June 2019, Holston Conference churches and individuals gave a mission offering totaling $145,792 to address the opioid addiction crisis, according to finance staff Kathy Ratchford.
 
In June 2020, an offering of $47,168 was received to continue Holston Conference’s mission emphasis on opioid addiction.
 
Prior to the pandemic, $67,180 of the offering totals were distributed in grants to ministries throughout Holston communities in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and North Georgia, Riggins said.

Visit the Holston Opioid Crisis Offering page for more information or contact charlotteriggins@holston.org.