Banner Elk Presbyterian Gave $250,000+ in 2025 to Help our Neighbors
Thanks to very generous “extra” giving to the church last year, Banner Elk Presbyterian was able to help many neighbors, near and far. The annual church budget always includes a generous amount for benevolent support. In 2025, these payments totaled $62,815 to 20 nonprofits locally and internationally. But wait, there’s more: the church gave an extra $188,000+ to help meet timely needs in Avery County and beyond.
Here’s a sampling of the extra support the church provided during 2025:
In November, raised $8,802 for RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry) for Thanksgiving meals and help our neighbors in need with utility bills.
In December, a special Feeding Avery Families offering totaled $9,455 to purchase hams and trimmings for hundreds of families to prepare a Christmas dinner. This is in addition to $7,360 raised earlier in the year.
Our Christmas Eve Offering of $3,958 was split between RAM and Volunteer Avery for emergency assistance help for their clients – including utilities, rent and medical needs.
Avery Project Christmas received $646 to purchase gifts for kids.
The monthly Daily Change offering on the last Sunday of each month totaled $6,661.30 for the year! It is sent to the Hunger Committee of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to fund hunger relief grant requests.
Helene Recovery Grants totaling $101,000 presented to 23 area families that suffered much loss from the storm.
Community fundraisers presented by our talented members included the Best of Broadway show that collected $14,889 for our Preschool and the Nunsense musical raising $13,953 for Lees-McRae Summer Theatre.
Paid $13,200 in scholarships for our partner church in Guatemala, Arca de Noe.
For Easter, the One Great Hour of Sharing offering by Presbyterian Church USA totaled $1,951 to help people around the world that lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.
The Christmas Joy Offering of $1,055 supports PC(USA) church workers and families when special needs arise.
And there’s more! Many comforters and prayer shawls were given to people near and far. The church’s Rob Clemmer Benevolent Fund provides assistance to the people locally for housing related needs, emergency situations, transportation and health issues. Many members donated time and talents throughout the community.
For more than 130 years, Banner Elk Presbyterian Church has been vital for helping with a long list of community needs. Thanks to our generous members and the community, this tradition will continue for many years to come.