SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Common Lenten sacrifices include giving up chocolate, sweets, or soft drinks.
One church in Lackawanna County is going beyond the norm bringing financial relief to neighbors burdened by medical expenses.
Taking the traditional Lenten practice of giving something up and instead doing something positive.
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Pastor Ben Hailstone says he and his congregation at City Lights Church are working to lift a serious burden in many peoples lives.
"Lent is usually time focused on prayer and fasting and giving up stuff. We decide to focus all our giving on one thing this year is to pay off medical debt for our neighbors in this county," said Pastor Hailstone.
According to the latest Health and Human Services Study, one in five households owe more than $250 in unpaid medical bills.
Nationally medical debt totals between $88 billion and $195 billion.
"Which is a crazy stat deal with overwhelming medical debt. They wake up and decide will I buy meals or pay off this medical debt so it's a huge issue," voiced Pastor Hailstone.
Pastor Hailstone says roughly 80 members attend Sunday services at the church on North Main Avenue in Scranton.
Over the last five weeks, they have raised more than $15,000 to bring financial relief to Lackawanna County resident burdened by medical expenses.
"It's awesome to see people respond to this," stated Pastor Hailstone.
It's made possible through their partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit group.
The organization uses donations to buy large medical debts at a discount.
Every $10 donated relieves $1,000 on average of medical debt for families in financial need.
Those whose debts have been erased will be notified via mail and it stays anonymous.
"And I think that makes it more like what Jesus would do, he told us to love our neighbors with no strings attached," said Pastor Hailstone.
