Liberty HealthShare distributed $25,000 in grants to five Stark County organizations combating hunger during what the ministry termed a “Day of Sharing” on Nov. 21, 2025. The donation will fund more than 100,000 meals for families across the Ohio county.
The healthcare sharing ministry awarded $5,000 grants to the Stark County Hunger Task Force, Refuge of Hope, North Canton Cares Pantry, Salvation Army of Canton, and Salvation Army of Massillon through its Sharing Hearts Fund charitable arm.
“With services ranging from grocery distribution and weekend backpacks for kids to hot evening meals and box lunches, these organizations and their partners serve thousands of people in need each and every day,” Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow said. “Families in Stark County need help and these organizations are among those answering the call.”
Expanding Beyond Pediatric Wellness
These grants mark an expansion of the Sharing Hearts Fund’s mission beyond its original focus on pediatric wellness support. Liberty HealthShare established the charitable fund earlier in 2025 to assist Stark County families with children’s medical expenses including physical examinations, dental care, vision screenings, and hearing tests.
All Sharing Hearts Fund dollars come from donations and grants separate from Liberty HealthShare’s operational funding. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the ministry’s website.
Addressing Local Food Security Challenges
Stark County food banks and pantries face pressure from converging factors. Rising food costs strain household budgets while economic difficulties push more families to seek assistance. Federal cuts to nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Local Food Purchase Assistance, and Emergency Food Assistance initiatives compound these pressures. Reduced giving from individuals and corporations further limits available resources.
Five recipient organizations run varied programs throughout Stark County. Services span traditional pantry operations, hot meal programs, and targeted efforts such as weekend food backpacks for schoolchildren.
“Liberty HealthShare and our Sharing Hearts Fund wants to be a force for good in our community,” Morrow explained. “Helping children who need medical care and providing nourishing food are two ways we can make an impact.”
Faith-Based Mission Drives Community Engagement
Liberty HealthShare frames its charitable work within its Christian identity. “Our vision is to be a sharing community that exemplifies Jesus Christ who, in Matthew 25:35-40 tells us that feeding the hungry is feeding Him,” Morrow stated.
The faith-based healthcare sharing ministry operates on voluntary monthly contributions from members who share eligible medical expenses within their community. This model differs from insurance companies with shareholders and quarterly earnings requirements.
Liberty HealthShare was established in 1995 from the Gospel Light Mennonite Church Medical Aid Plan. The ministry has grown from five Virginia families to a national membership base while maintaining its nonprofit structure.
Recognition for Transparency and Accountability
Liberty HealthShare holds both Candid’s 2025 GuideStar Gold Seal and Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating, positioning it as the sole healthcare sharing ministry in the United States with both recognitions. Better Business Bureau accreditation with an A+ rating further validates the ministry’s accountability standards.
Public access to annual audit reports, IRS Form 990 documents, sharing statistics, and program guidelines distinguishes Liberty HealthShare within the healthcare sharing sector, where financial disclosure practices vary considerably among ministries.
Comprehensive Healthcare Sharing Programs
Six medical cost-sharing programs accommodate different needs and budgets. Suggested monthly share amounts range from $87 to $362 for individuals, with family options starting at $319 monthly. Programs typically include urgent care access, mental wellness telehealth visits, and prescription drug discounts.
Liberty HealthShare launched two supplemental programs in 2024 and 2025. Liberty Dental, introduced in 2024, features suggested monthly shares starting at $35 and permits members to visit any dentist without network restrictions. Liberty Vision, launched in November 2025, offers vision care expense sharing starting at $7 monthly for individuals, covering eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK surgery discounts.
Year-round enrollment availability distinguishes Liberty HealthShare from insurance models requiring special qualifying events or designated enrollment periods. Members can join or modify programs based on changing circumstances throughout the year.
Approximately 160 team members support the ministry’s operations and member services.
Healthcare Sharing Model Structure
Liberty HealthShare functions through monthly contributions that members voluntarily submit to share eligible medical expenses within the community. Members support each other through health challenges rather than paying premiums to an insurance company.
The ministry emphasizes it does not guarantee medical bill payment. Member participation remains voluntary, and individuals maintain responsibility for unpaid medical expenses regardless of sharing program participation. Liberty HealthShare characterizes itself as an alternative way of paying for healthcare expenses rather than a healthcare alternative.
The Sharing Hearts Fund initiative demonstrates how the ministry extends its community support mission beyond member services into direct charitable work addressing local needs in its Stark County, Ohio operational base.
