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St. Louis HELP
For 15 years, St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program – known as STL HELP – has filled this need. STL HELP provides free recycled medical equipment to anyone in need, quickly and easily. This kind of access is so important, says one of their board members, because “any day in recovery that you aren’t moving, you’re losing.” In recent years, COVID and the retirement of its founder created challenges for STL HELP. Today, under the leadership of a new executive director, Karen Lanter, and supported by a small but enthusiastic staff and board, this agency is primed for a new beginning. SOS recognized the renewed potential of STL HELP by awarding the group a $10,000 grant this year. The agency was the recipient of earlier SOS grants in 2011, 2013 and 2015. “SOS provided STL HELP with one of its very first grants and its founder, Laura Cannon, always credited us with helping the organization get on the St. Louis philanthropic map,” says Vicki Sheehan, a long-time SOS member and leader of the site visit team that supported STL HELP’s inclusion on the 2023 SOS funding ballot. “It is deeply rewarding to be able to materially support its reemergence and sustainability post-COVID.” As part of a new strategic plan, STL HELP is improving access to equipment by establishing hub locations with partners such as churches and community centers. They’re also offering pediatric equipment for the first time, and have a strong environmental mission that translates to recycling tons of old equipment every year rather than contributing to landfills. “No other agency provides this unique service in such an accessible way,” Vicki adds. “With renewed energy and focus,
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Imagine coming home from the hospital and needing a basic piece of home health equipment such as a wheelchair or walker to continue your recovery. For many people, access to this equipment is mired in red tape, including delays or denials by insurers and high rental costs or co-pays.