What is Share the Plate?  During each Sunday service, we take a collection. This voluntarily given money is then shared between our congregation and an organization from the local community which has goals that align with Unitarian Universalist principles. This month’s Share the Plate recipient is our Microfinance project. 

The UUCS Microfinance project makes small loans to people living on the edge, so they can increase their earning power, escape poverty, and make a better living for their families. Often, poor people are not able to borrow money to buy small equipment items or materials necessary for their businesses. Banks are few in rural areas.

The UUCS Microfinance project is trying to help people that banks cannot or will not help. Current projects are in Laos, Peru, Kenya and Nicaragua. Our donations create permanent revolving loan funds that remain in the community to provide capital now and in the future.

In the last dozen years, UUCS has contributed to the well-being of many dozens of households in a number of impoverished communities in Laos, Peru, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, and India. Aided by partner organizations, we have provided funding for small loans to poor households with good business ideas. The loans, once repaid, are loaned again and again. The Neo Fund, our current partner organization, provides microloans to the poorest of the poor. Attend or “Zoom” the November 7 Service to learn how our past donations are helping poor women and their families in Nicaragua and India.

Please consider making a separate,  one-time donation this month with Microfinance on the memo line, or as a Share the Plate donation.