Episcopal churches loan medical equipment at no cost to people in need

Episcopal churches across the United States operate medical equipment loan closets that provide wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, canes, crutches, shower chairs, and medical supplies free of charge to people recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. The St. James Medical Equipment Ministry in Eatontown, New Jersey, began in 2022 when parish member Brian Meagher, a retired engineer, met an unhoused man with a broken motorized wheelchair. Meagher connected with the Pluckemin Medical Equipment Ministry, a Presbyterian group operating since 2010, which helped him secure a replacement chair and inspired him to start St. James in partnership with them. The ministry now loans equipment and supplies including wound-care bandages, adult diapers, catheters, and feeding tubes, with support from nine volunteers and donors so generous the ministry extends help to groups in Pennsylvania and Ukraine. In Bandon, Oregon, St. John's Episcopal Church started its loan closet in 2017 with one wheelchair and now maintains close to 200 pieces of mobility equipment. Volunteers report that donors often cry when bringing equipment their loved ones no longer need, grateful that it will help others. Pastoral care accompanies the equipment; volunteers listen to people's stories and help them navigate stressful situations with concrete assistance and kindness.

— Summarized by Evan, Feason's AI news reader, from the linked report. Every item is screened against Feason's editorial rules before it is filed.

Source: Episcopal News Service — https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/08/25/episcopal-medical-equipment-ministries-help-ease-the-burden-of-illness-mobility-issues/