Kettering Church Forgives $1.9M in Medical Debt for Local Residents

COTC Wipes Out $1.9M in Medical Debt for Community

Over 2,600 families in Montgomery, Warren, Miami, Green, and Butler counties have recently received letters informing them that their medical debt has been forgiven - free and clear - thanks to the generous donations of a local congregation.

Church of the Cross United Methodist in Kettering worked with RIP Medical Debt to forgive over $1.9 million in medical debt owed by lower-income, Dayton-area residents. RIP is a nonprofit that buys large amounts of debt on the secondary market for literal pennies on the dollar. To date, RIP has enabled individuals and groups to forgive more than $10 billion in medical debt. Recipients’ debts will be automatically removed from their credit reports, and they will owe no additional taxes as a result of the debt forgiveness.

Medical debt is an enormous weight on our community that has only gotten heavier due to recent increases in cost of living. According to RIP Medical Debt, one in three American families struggle with the weight of medical debt, and at least half have trouble paying medical bills - even with insurance. Medical debt and affordability challenges disproportionately affect Black
and Hispanic families.

The idea to raise money for debt forgiveness was brought to the church board by a member who had heard about RIP on a podcast. The Board and congregation were immediately enthusiastic. Joyce Evenden, a member of Church of the Cross said: “Giving to a good cause is so much more significant and rewarding when every dollar I give is multiplied 100-fold! That’s the beauty of communities working together to help others.”

Debt forgiveness is only one of several ways that Church of the Cross provides relief to their neighbors. The church also operates a 24/7 Little Free Pantry outside their entrance on Wilmington Pike and will soon be opening a more formal Food Bank in Partnership with the Dayton Food Bank.

"COTC is a small congregation but a very generous one. The members are always looking for ways to help their fellow neighbors." said COTC Leadership Board chairperson Tim Grinstead.

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Church of the Cross United Methodist.

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