Volunteers in Medicine – St. Charles (VIM), is pleased and honored to be named one of the recipients of a 2020 grant from the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund (SoS). The awards were announced on May 20th.

VIM’s Mission is to serve the healthcare needs of St. Charles and Lincoln County adult residents who are not covered by any type of insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits, and whose household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. VIM receives no federal or state support and depends on the generosity of individual and grant donors to support its Mission. VIM has no paid staff, provides primary health services to our patients without charge, and furnishes our patients with the medications they need to improve their health.

SoS is the premier women’s collective giving grant-making organization in the metropolitan area, with over 200 active members. Since 2007, SOS has invested more than $2.7 million in the St. Louis region, benefiting 87 agencies. All members give the same dues, and these dues are how grants are funded. After a thorough vetting process, all members vote equally on how grants are distributed. Grants are given to smaller nonprofits where a $5,000 to $25,000 grant will make a difference.

“On behalf of our patients and our volunteer staff and Board, we are grateful and honored to be named one of the awardees of the 2020 Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund grants,” said Chad Abel, VIM Board Chair. “Their grant will provide two months of medication for our patients. We are honored because the process to choose the awardees is testament to the great work of our volunteers.”

According to SoS, in the 2020 grant cycle over 200 not for profit organizations were invited to submit pre-applications. Of these, 40 were selected to complete full applications and receive site visits. From these 40, 22 organizations were on the final ballot for their membership and 10 were selected to receive grants.

According to VIM Medical Director, Filippo Ferrigni, M.D., “Of the patients we treat, 18% have diabetes, 38% have hypertension, 45% have depression, 17% have asthma, 13% have COPD, or combinations of these serious illnesses. Without clinically appropriate medications, the health of our patients will not improve.”

VIM provides these critical medications to their patients at no charge thanks to our generous donors. For more information about VIM visit www.vimstc.org Information about SoS can be found on their website at https://www.spiritstlwomensfund.org/