Applicants are not granted financial assistance based on relationships between church leaders or being a significant church contributor. The church does not discriminate between applicants based upon race, color, sex, national origin, age, geographic territory, or disability. The board of directors may provide short- term (or emergency) assistance to ensure that an applicant has the basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation, counseling, and medical assistance. The preferred method of providing assistance to pay for the applicant’s need is to make checks payable directly to the business provider. Assistance may also be provided in the form of goods or services. The type of aid that is appropriate depends on the individual’s needs and available resources.