Starter Playbook #9
Medical Equipment Lending Closet
Turn a storage closet into a lending library for walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and canes. Need it? Borrow it. Done with it? Return it. A $0 loan prevents a $30,000 fall injury.
What's Inside
Grace Tabernacle "Library of Healing" — Sister Johnson borrowed walker + shower chair ($150 value) for free
Annual budget: $450-$700/year ($60/month) — lowest-cost, highest-yield health ministry
30-day plan: Collect 10 items — pulpit ask, download waiver, clear closet
Economic impact: A $50 shower chair prevents a $30,000+ fall injury
Church Example: Grace Tabernacle
How a small storefront church with zero budget launched "The Library of Healing" in 30 days
Grace Tabernacle: "The Library of Healing"
The Problem
Grace Tabernacle, a small storefront church, had zero budget for a health ministry. However, they had a storage shed and a population of aging members. The pastor noticed a recurring issue: members would be discharged from the hospital after a surgery or fall but would delay purchasing necessary equipment (walkers, shower chairs) because Medicare didn't cover them or the co-pay was too high.
This delay often led to a second fall or a slower recovery, keeping the member or their caregiver out of work longer.
The Solution: "Need it? Borrow it. Done? Return it."
Grace Tabernacle started The Library of Healing. They put a call out for donations. Within a month, they had:
- • 3 wheelchairs
- • 5 walkers
- • 2 shower benches
- • Bundles of unopened adult diapers
The ministry was simple: Need it? Borrow it. Done with it? Return it.
The Impact: Sister Johnson's Story
Sister Johnson, recovering from a knee replacement, borrowed a walker and a shower chair.
- → Retail Value: $150
- → Cost to Sister Johnson: $0
- → Impact: She was able to shower safely, preventing a slip-and-fall. Her daughter, who worked retail, could return to work knowing her mother was safe, rather than taking unpaid leave.
- Startup Cost
- $0 — 100% donation-based inventory
- Startup Time
- 30 days from pulpit ask to first loan
- Result
- Prevented falls, caregiver could return to work
Sample Budget: Medical Equipment Lending Closet (Annual)
| Item | Detail | First Year | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Inventory | 2 wheelchairs, 3 walkers, 5 canes, shower chair | $500 | — |
| Cleaning Supplies | Disinfectant, wipes (ongoing) | $150 | $150 |
| Minor Repairs | Replacement wheels, tips, etc. | $100 | $100 |
| Shelving/Storage | Secure closet or corner of storage room | $200 | — |
| Total | $950 | $250 | |
Donation Strategy: Most equipment comes from member donations after recovery or loss.
Actual Operating Cost (With Donations)
If inventory is 100% donation-based, the annual cash cost is $450-$700 (cleaning supplies, liability insurance, minor repairs). That's $60/month — making this the lowest-cost, highest-yield health ministry available.
Economic Impact: Aging in Place
- Rental Cost Avoidance: Wheelchair rentals cost $200/month. A 3-month recovery = $600 saved per borrower.
- Hospital Discharge: Many seniors are discharged from hospitals with no equipment at home. The lending closet prevents readmissions due to falls.
- Fall Prevention — The Big Economic Win: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for older adults. The average hospital cost for a fall injury is over $30,000. A shower chair ($50 value) prevents the slip in the tub. ROI: A $0 loan prevents a $30,000 health shock.
- Aging in Place: Equipment allows seniors to remain at home rather than move to assisted living ($3,000-$5,000/month).
Your 30-Day Sprint: Collect 10 Items
This is the simplest health ministry to launch. No medical expertise required—just space and a simple waiver.
Step 1: The Pulpit Ask
Script for Sunday morning:
"Does anyone have a walker, wheelchair, cane, or shower chair in their attic gathering dust? Someone in this church family needs it. Bring it next Sunday. We're starting a Medical Equipment Lending Closet—a place where congregants can borrow what they need during recovery, then return it when they're done."
Goal: Collect 10 items in 30 days.
Step 2: The Waiver
- → Download a template liability waiver. Search online for "medical equipment lending waiver template" or adapt a tool library waiver.
- → Consult a pro-bono lawyer in the congregation to review it.
- → Never lend without a signature. This protects the church from liability if someone falls while using borrowed equipment.
Step 3: The Space
- → Clear a closet. Even a 6' x 4' storage closet can hold 10-15 items.
- → Organize by type: Walkers on one shelf, canes in a basket, wheelchairs in the corner.
- → Label shelves. Use masking tape and a Sharpie.
Key Metric
Estimated retail value of inventory loaned out — e.g., "$2,000 worth of equipment loaned this year."
Operational Tips
- Sanitize everything. Use disinfectant wipes before lending and after return. This is essential for infection control.
- Track loans. Use a simple Excel spreadsheet: Borrower Name | Item | Date Out | Expected Return Date
- Assign a volunteer coordinator. Ideally someone who is organized and comfortable checking in with borrowers ("How's the walker working for you? When do you think you'll be done with it?")
- Insurance: Add a $250-$500 liability rider to your church insurance policy for lending equipment.
Where to Get Inventory
Most lending closets operate on a 100% donation model — the circular economy of health
1. Congregation Donations
After a loved one passes or recovers, families often have unused medical equipment. The pulpit ask captures this.
Tax Benefit: The church can provide donation receipts for tax deduction purposes.
2. Hospital Discharge Planners
Partner with local hospitals. Discharge planners often know when patients can't afford equipment. They can refer to your lending closet.
Bonus: Hospitals sometimes donate surplus equipment.
3. Medical Supply Companies
Some medical supply companies donate returned or slightly used equipment that can't be resold. Build a relationship with a local DME provider.
Ask: "Do you have any floor models or returns you'd donate to a church lending closet?"
Vocational Impact: Logistics & Inventory Skills
Volunteers who manage the lending closet gain transferable job skills
Inventory Management
Tracking loans and returns, managing supply levels
Sanitization Protocols
Basic infection control and safety compliance
Equipment Maintenance
Repairing wheels, brakes, and basic mechanical troubleshooting
Career Pathway: These skills are transferable to roles in medical supply coordination, hospital environmental services, or warehouse logistics.
Ready to Launch Your Lending Closet?
This is the lowest-cost, highest-yield health ministry. A $0 loan prevents a $30,000 fall injury—massive Stage 0 stabilization.