Many people who have suffered economically over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic are not, unfortunately, a priority when it comes to receiving assistance and relief. With that in mind, Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Madison’s south side has launched a “COVID-19 Relief Stimulus” fund to support those that have been affected by COVID-19 due to being furloughed or having their hours and pay reduced.
“I have been hearing from my [church] members quite a bit and people have been telling me, ‘There has been a reduction in my job hours’ or ‘I’m only working three or four days a week now because I’m furloughed.’ I started hearing that a lot in my congregation … people who weren’t necessarily qualifying for grants that are out there but still very much in need,” Rev. Marcus Allen, senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, tells Madison365. “We just wanted to do something that can help them.