After a successful first year, Mennonite Disaster Service Canada has announced a new round of funding from the Spirit of MDS Fund.

The 2021 round of funding runs through April 30. It will provide grants up to $2,500 to Canadian Anabaptist/Mennonite congregations.

Funding is available to congregations to help meet practical needs in their communities for things like food, shelter, personal protective equipment and emergency financial assistance such as rent, groceries and medications. It is also available on a case-by-case basis so congregations can assist people who need mental health support due to the pandemic.

Preference will be given to congregations that are part of an Anabaptist denomination that supports MDS Canada, but applications from other churches will be considered. Unlike the first round of funding in 2020, technology and camps will not be funded. Of special interest are ethnic and inner-city congregations whose members have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

Last year MDS Canada provided 81 grants totaling $102,000 to churches and other organizations.

The money was used for things like food banks, meal programs, personal protective equipment, assistance for homeless people, technology for churches to help them connect with members and computer tablets for personal care homes so seniors could stay in touch with family and friends.

Congregations that want to apply for funding can find an application form at mds.mennonite.net/2021-spirit-of-mds-fund-for-covid-19-related-needs.