Free Medical Equipment in St. Francois County

Left to right: Dominick Climer, St. Louis HELP warehouse coordinator; Terri Cammarata, president and CEO, Rural Parish Clinic; Karen Lanter, executive director, St. Louis HELP: and Shannon Miller, nurse administrator, Rural Parish Clinic. Submitted

Residents in St. Francois County will soon have expanded access to free durable medical equipment through a new partnership between the Rural Parish Clinic of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP), the region’s largest nonprofit provider of no-cost medical equipment.

The Rural Parish Clinic, which serves uninsured and under-resourced patients across southeast Missouri, will now connect St. Francois County residents directly with St. Louis HELP’s supply of free wheelchairs—including pediatric chairs—walkers, canes, hospital beds, shower aids and other equipment. The program aims to improve access to essential healthcare items in one of the two poorest counties in the Archdiocese.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with STLHELP to expand access to essential healthcare services in our rural communities,” said Terri Cammarata, president and CEO of Rural Parish Clinic. “By combining our resources and expertise, Rural Parish Clinic and STLHELP can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Local church leaders also say the partnership will strengthen the Archdiocese’s support network in the county.

“The Rural Parish Clinic/St. Louis HELP partnership furthers our Southern Vicariate mission by enabling more intentional, strategic support for those in need in our rural communities,” said George Herrera, director of social outreach for the Southern Vicariate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Expanded Services Coming to Farmington in 2026
Since launching in 2019, Rural Parish Clinic has completed more than 3,700 medical and dental visits, providing care for individuals who would otherwise go without it. The clinic partners with other providers to offer mammography, colorectal, and vision screenings, as well as mental health services.

The program currently operates in six rural counties. It plans to open a new host site in Farmington in 2026, making access easier for residents throughout St. Francois County—including Park Hills, Leadington, Desloge, Bonne Terre, and Bismarck.

Equipment Available Locally Through Partnership
Through the new collaboration, Rural Parish Clinic’s mobile clinic visits in St. Francois County will help identify individuals who may need:
* Adult and pediatric wheelchairs
* Walkers, crutches, and canes
* Reachers and grabbers
* Toileting equipment
* Lift chairs and Hoyer lifts
* Hospital beds
* Shower chairs, stools, and transfer benches
* Grab bars for tubs, showers, and walls

All equipment is provided free of charge through St. Louis HELP.

Access Points for St. Francois County Residents
In addition to Rural Parish Clinic’s future Farmington site and regular mobile visits to the county, St. Louis HELP also operates a nearby “HELP Hub” location at 302 Bailey Rd., Crystal City (serving St. Francois, Jefferson, and Ste. Genevieve counties).

Residents can call 314-897-4357 or visit stlhelp.org for hours, equipment availability, and donation information.

About St. Louis HELP
Founded in 2008 by Laura Cannon, the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects, sanitizes, and distributes durable medical equipment to individuals in need. The organization has served more than 10,000 people since 2019 and is on track to assist a record number in 2025.