How a Small Church Assistance Fund Grew into a Multifaceted Community Outreach Initiative
By Zack Hostutler, Director Of Family And Community Outreach | WVU Undergraduate Student
For many years, Suncrest United Methodist Church has been committed to helping individuals and families facing hardship. What began as a small financial assistance ministry has grown into the Community Help Initiative, a network of outreach programs serving more than 500 families annually throughout north-central West Virginia.
The ministry's history can be traced to the Good Samaritan Fund, which later became known as the Pastor's Help Fund. For many years, assistance was overseen by the church's Senior Pastors and focused on helping community members facing financial emergencies.
In early 2025, I became involved in leading the day-to-day operation of the Pastor's Help Fund. What began as volunteer leadership eventually evolved into my current role as Director of Family and Community Outreach. At the time, the ministry served approximately 100 individuals and operated informally, as many small church funds do.
Building on the work of those who came before me, I focused on strengthening the ministry's organization, consistency, and ability to respond to community needs. One of the first changes was the implementation of CharityTracker, a case management system that improved recordkeeping, client communication, and assistance tracking. I also developed assistance policies and guidelines to help ensure accountability while maintaining flexibility for households experiencing unique circumstances.
These changes helped expand the ministry's ability to respond to financial hardship, particularly through increased utility assistance and improved coordination of resources.
As the ministry became more organized, it became clear that many community needs extended beyond direct financial assistance. To help address those needs, I established Nurture Nook, a resource program providing hygiene products, feminine hygiene supplies, harm-reduction resources, and pet supplies. The program also became involved in community give-back meals, creating additional opportunities to distribute resources and build relationships with neighbors.
Around the same time, Christina Hostutler, Director of Congregational Life launched Roots of Renewal, a women's outreach ministry focused on dignity, encouragement, and personal care. Through partnerships with local organizations, including Morgantown Beauty College, the program provides beauty services, personal care items, and supportive resources for women in the community.
Another significant step occurred during the 2025-2026 academic year through a collaboration involving myself, Abigale Mullings, MPH, Angel Smothers, DNP, APRN, the West Virginia University School of Nursing, and AmeriCorps. Together, we established the Blessing Box Program, creating accessible locations where individuals and families could obtain food and hygiene supplies free of charge.
Today, the program operates at Timberline Apartments, Marjorie Gardens, and Community United Methodist Church in Morgantown. Although the project originated through a collaborative partnership, it is now operated entirely by Suncrest United Methodist Church with the support of volunteers and community partners.
As outreach efforts continued to grow, it became increasingly clear that the Pastor's Help Fund no longer reflected the scope of the work being accomplished. The name often created confusion, leading some to believe it existed primarily to support the pastor rather than assist community members. To better reflect its mission, I proposed renaming the ministry the Community Help Fund, emphasizing its commitment to serving individuals and families regardless of religious affiliation.
Around the same time, the ministry became affiliated with CarePortal, creating new opportunities to identify needs, collaborate with partner organizations, and coordinate assistance for children and families.
As the Community Help Fund, Nurture Nook, Roots of Renewal, and the Blessing Box Program continued to expand, I worked to bring these efforts together under a unified structure while allowing each program to maintain its own identity. This led to the creation of the Community Help Initiative, an umbrella ministry connecting multiple outreach efforts through a shared mission of helping ensure that every neighbor is fed, housed, and healthy.
Growth has also been strengthened through the involvement of volunteers, social work interns, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community partners. These relationships have expanded the initiative's ability to connect individuals with resources beyond what any one program could provide alone.
More recently, the Church Council approved a dedicated Task Force to help guide policy development, financial stewardship, and long-term planning. The ministry also became affiliated with the Goodwill Give Back Program, creating additional opportunities to connect individuals and families with resources throughout the region.
Today, the Community Help Initiative serves more than 500 families annually across Monongalia, Marion, and Preston counties. While the ministry has grown significantly since 2025, its core purpose remains unchanged: helping neighbors during times of need.
The success of this work reflects the generosity of the Suncrest United Methodist Church congregation, the dedication of volunteers, the support of community partners, and the efforts of many people who share a commitment to serving others.
I am grateful to have played a role in that growth. What began as a small assistance fund has developed into a broad network of outreach programs, and I look forward to seeing how the ministry continues to serve our community in the years ahead.
Zackary Hostutler,
Director of Family and Community Outreach,
Suncrest United Methodist Church
The ministry's history can be traced to the Good Samaritan Fund, which later became known as the Pastor's Help Fund. For many years, assistance was overseen by the church's Senior Pastors and focused on helping community members facing financial emergencies.
In early 2025, I became involved in leading the day-to-day operation of the Pastor's Help Fund. What began as volunteer leadership eventually evolved into my current role as Director of Family and Community Outreach. At the time, the ministry served approximately 100 individuals and operated informally, as many small church funds do.
Building on the work of those who came before me, I focused on strengthening the ministry's organization, consistency, and ability to respond to community needs. One of the first changes was the implementation of CharityTracker, a case management system that improved recordkeeping, client communication, and assistance tracking. I also developed assistance policies and guidelines to help ensure accountability while maintaining flexibility for households experiencing unique circumstances.
These changes helped expand the ministry's ability to respond to financial hardship, particularly through increased utility assistance and improved coordination of resources.
As the ministry became more organized, it became clear that many community needs extended beyond direct financial assistance. To help address those needs, I established Nurture Nook, a resource program providing hygiene products, feminine hygiene supplies, harm-reduction resources, and pet supplies. The program also became involved in community give-back meals, creating additional opportunities to distribute resources and build relationships with neighbors.
Around the same time, Christina Hostutler, Director of Congregational Life launched Roots of Renewal, a women's outreach ministry focused on dignity, encouragement, and personal care. Through partnerships with local organizations, including Morgantown Beauty College, the program provides beauty services, personal care items, and supportive resources for women in the community.
Another significant step occurred during the 2025-2026 academic year through a collaboration involving myself, Abigale Mullings, MPH, Angel Smothers, DNP, APRN, the West Virginia University School of Nursing, and AmeriCorps. Together, we established the Blessing Box Program, creating accessible locations where individuals and families could obtain food and hygiene supplies free of charge.
Today, the program operates at Timberline Apartments, Marjorie Gardens, and Community United Methodist Church in Morgantown. Although the project originated through a collaborative partnership, it is now operated entirely by Suncrest United Methodist Church with the support of volunteers and community partners.
As outreach efforts continued to grow, it became increasingly clear that the Pastor's Help Fund no longer reflected the scope of the work being accomplished. The name often created confusion, leading some to believe it existed primarily to support the pastor rather than assist community members. To better reflect its mission, I proposed renaming the ministry the Community Help Fund, emphasizing its commitment to serving individuals and families regardless of religious affiliation.
Around the same time, the ministry became affiliated with CarePortal, creating new opportunities to identify needs, collaborate with partner organizations, and coordinate assistance for children and families.
As the Community Help Fund, Nurture Nook, Roots of Renewal, and the Blessing Box Program continued to expand, I worked to bring these efforts together under a unified structure while allowing each program to maintain its own identity. This led to the creation of the Community Help Initiative, an umbrella ministry connecting multiple outreach efforts through a shared mission of helping ensure that every neighbor is fed, housed, and healthy.
Growth has also been strengthened through the involvement of volunteers, social work interns, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community partners. These relationships have expanded the initiative's ability to connect individuals with resources beyond what any one program could provide alone.
More recently, the Church Council approved a dedicated Task Force to help guide policy development, financial stewardship, and long-term planning. The ministry also became affiliated with the Goodwill Give Back Program, creating additional opportunities to connect individuals and families with resources throughout the region.
Today, the Community Help Initiative serves more than 500 families annually across Monongalia, Marion, and Preston counties. While the ministry has grown significantly since 2025, its core purpose remains unchanged: helping neighbors during times of need.
The success of this work reflects the generosity of the Suncrest United Methodist Church congregation, the dedication of volunteers, the support of community partners, and the efforts of many people who share a commitment to serving others.
I am grateful to have played a role in that growth. What began as a small assistance fund has developed into a broad network of outreach programs, and I look forward to seeing how the ministry continues to serve our community in the years ahead.
Zackary Hostutler,
Director of Family and Community Outreach,
Suncrest United Methodist Church