This is the time of year to contemplate our many blessings, our faith in God, and all the wonderful people in our community — including the many nonprofit organizations and leaders working to serve the homeless in our region.

I recently attended a community gathering for Churches United at Good Shepherd Church in Moorhead, and I left with a deep sense of hope for those who face challenges in our community.

I am heartened not only by the fact that Churches United has a solid plan to restructure and rebuild the organization from the ground up but also that they are committed to helping our community tackle the root causes of homelessness such as untreated addiction and mental health conditions.

We are called to serve our neighbors in need — Churches United alone serves more than 100 people each night — and now is the time to answer the call. If you can find it in your heart, I’d ask you to consider a financial gift to support Churches United this holiday season as they work to re-establish long-term financial stability.

Let’s ensure that not a single one of our most vulnerable neighbors is forced to spend a night alone in the cold.

With gratitude,


J. Patrick Traynor
Executive Director
Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation