Lutheran Family and Children's Services at risk of losing tax credits

Lutheran Family and Children's Services in Cape Girardeau has $118,000 in tax credits that must be used by Wednesday or the charity will lose future funding.

For the past six years, the organization has received $500,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits from the state and has issued this full amount to eligible donors, said Melody Anderson, director of regional development.

Donors receive a Missouri income tax credit for 50 percent of the value of their donation.

This year, donations are falling short, resulting in tax credits going to waste and affecting the services provided by Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Anderson said.

"We will never be able to get that money back, and they will not allow us to apply for the same amount of tax credits again if we don't use them this year," she said.

The organization's crisis pregnancy services are supported by the donors who receive these tax credits. Services provided include counseling, parenting classes, prenatal care, mental health assessments, food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

About 300 women in Southeast Missouri are helped each year through these programs, Anderson said. The organization serves women from Ste. Genevieve County down to the entire Bootheel region. There is a satellite office in Perry County.

"Last year we met our goal in the last hour on the last day, but this year, I'm concerned that we're not going to meet it," Anderson said. "With the economy, health care reform ... people are nervous. Even if they have the money to give, they're scared to let go of it."

Donors eligible to take part in the NAP credit program include corporations, insurance companies, banks, partnerships, limited liability companies, farm owners and people with rental property or royalty income.

"People have the opportunity to give locally instead of writing that tax check to the state," Anderson said.

The organization held a Facebook Telethon on Friday in an effort to get additional donations to meet its goal.

For more information, call 275-4707 or 334-5866 or visit www.lfcsmo.org.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent Address:

3178 Blattner Drive

Cape Girardeau, MO