2024  services
January - December

2,184 Gas Vouchers issued
$41,880.36 paid

  305 Medical/Prescription/Dental
$13,151.35 paid

572 Identifications 
$12,605.38 paid

A Legacy of Faith, Rooted in Service

Founded in 1981 by the Interfaith Council of Churches, the FISH Fund began as a response to a shared challenge: local church staff were overwhelmed by growing requests for help and limited resources. Rather than working in isolation, faith communities came together with a vision—to pool their resources and trust trained professionals to assess needs and provide support with care and integrity.

Since then, the FISH Fund has allowed VAC to serve thousands of neighbors across Columbia and Boone County. It ensures that when someone comes to a church for help, there's a trusted, effective pathway to the support they need.

What Does the FISH Fund Support?

When someone in your congregation or community seeks help, referring them to VAC means they’ll be met with dignity, empathy, and the expertise of trained social service professionals. As funds allow, the FISH Fund may cover:

• Co-pays for health appointments

• Dental care

• Gas vouchers

• Missouri birth certificates

• Minor car repairs

• Prescription co-pays

• Employment uniforms

• State IDs

Why Support the FISH Fund?

When your faith community supports the FISH Fund, you’re not just meeting an immediate need—you’re joining a coordinated effort to uplift lives and create long-term change.

Here’s how your support makes an impact:

• Maximizes stewardship – Ensures charitable giving is used effectively and fairly
  Leverages expertise – Connects individuals with experienced social workers
  Reduces barriers – Offers multiple services through one trusted agency
  Improves efficiency – Prevents duplication of efforts and expands access
  Builds trust – Strengthens accountability and transparency in support delivery
  Provides holistic care – Goes beyond the crisis to offer meaningful referrals and follow-up