Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

❓️Who do we assist?

-Our mission is to assist families with minors and some adult up to 19. Due to IRS regulations, we cannot provide direct financial assistance to adults without children in the home as this is per how we filed for status.  However, we are still committed to helping connect individuals with available community resources.

❓️How often can a family receive assistance?

-A family can receive assistance from.one of our programs once every 6 months. We hope to change that duration to 4 months, or no more than 3 times a year down the road as we grow. That would allow us to help both rent and Nipspco at the same time with a one more time in a year. However as we are still small and lack the communities support we have to ensure we have availability to serve the most families as possible and a family can only receive assistance once every 6 months. 

❓️How do you operate without federal or state funding?

-We rely entirely on private donations and community support. Unfortunately, fundraising has been challenging due to a lack of marketing resources. We are working to secure grants, but these are difficult to obtain. Despite these hurdles, we continue to help as many families as possible.

❓️How do you help if you don’t have substantial funding?

-Even without consistent funding, we make an impact through:

✔ Resource Navigation – We guide clients to available community resources, increasing their chances of receiving assistance. Our goal is to reduce the remaining financial need to make it easier to reach.

✔ Screening & Documentation – If a client has been denied assistance elsewhere, we review their denial (must be within two months) and explore alternative aid. Denial from one program does not mean they are not in true need.

✔ Fundraising & Awareness – When necessary, we share urgent cases on our page and within local community groups to seek donations. We believe in community and neighborly love. While we cannot guarantee a campaign’s success, we do everything we can to assist.

❓️What is your assistance process?

-🚨 All cases  must see the trustee first! Or have proof they have obtained an appointment after deadline. Then all other local available resources, then we can step in as a last resource.

🚨 Utility Bills (NIPSCO): Donors contribute directly through NIPSCO’s guest pay portal. We will make avoiding disconnection a priority, not the full bill. If a client’s service is disconnected, our assistance may reduce their balance, making reconnection more attainable often we can not assist with entire bill. 

🚨 Evictions & Foreclosures: We can only assist if the full amount is raised. If the goal isn’t met, donors may choose a refund, or choose to allocate funds towards the next campaign.

🚨 Food Emergencies: We arrange direct food deliveries whenever possible. Some donors prefer to send deliveries themselves, which we facilitate with the client’s permission.

🚨 Urgent Housing Needs: If someone is facing eviction with little notice, we verify their situation, speak with their landlord, and do everything we can to connect them with emergency resources while sharing their case for potential community support.

❓️What are your limitations?

- We are privately funded with no financial reserves or budget, meaning we cannot guarantee every need will be met. However, as long as a request aligns with our mission, we will do our best to help. To remain effective, we post a maximum of FIVE needs per week. Unfortunately, this means some clients will have to be turned away due to resource limitations. If there are too many causes up at once none of them will receive full assistance needed and our efforts will be in vain.

❓️What happens if client gets caught purposely deceiving the screening process and/or taking advantage.of donations (reselling,signing up for donations under multiple programs, lying about circumstances)

-This is not tolerated AT ALL. They will permenantly be banned from participating in ANY of our programs forever, and if a donor requests or situation warrants a police report one will be made on behalf of our donors. 

❓️How can the community help?

-💙 Prayers & Encouragement – The emotional toll of turning people away is heavy, and we face understandable frustration and backlash from those we cannot assist. Please send prayers and positive energy our way as we navigate difficult decisions and strive to make the biggest impact possible.

💙 Church & Organization Partnerships – We need to expand our referral network. If your church or organization provides financial assistance, financial education, transportation for those with new jobs or job outreach in Porter, Lake, or LaPorte County, please reach out to us!

💙 Community Awareness – Share our mission, follow our platforms, interact , spread the word, and help us reach potential donors and partners who can support our cause!

❓️Are you affiliated with 211?

-We were recently contacted by 211 about joining their database, which is an honor. However, we already receive more requests than we can fulfill. This is why expanding our network is critical—so we can refer people to additional resources when we cannot assist.

❓️How can my church or organization partner with you?

If you are part of a church or nonprofit that assists with financial hardship, financial literacy, or employment services, we would love to collaborate. Please send us a message or email at contact@santadeliversayr.org to be added to our referral list.

❓️ Are you a 501(c)(3)?

Yes! We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our IRS determination letter is available upon request or can be verified through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

We Hate our limitations, however as our co-founder, Troy Donnelly, often says: "I’d rather help 8 out of 10 than none at all."

Thank you for standing with us!