Nonprofit focused on families with a seriously ill or critically injured child expands its presence in North Dakota.

A group of employees at Bell State Bank & Trust (www.bellbanks.com) announced today that they are using $1,000 in “Pay It Forward” funds, as well as several personal donations, to match a $4,500 gift from the Fargo-Moorehead Area Foundation for Spare Key, in support of the nonprofit’s expansion into North Dakota.

Spare Key was notified in June that it has been awarded the gift, which was to be matched from sources in the region, to benefit families in Cass and Clay counties. The Bell State Bank & Trust match will allow the organization to access funds sooner rather than later to make a marked impact in the region.

“Spare Key has done amazing work since its inception in 1997,” said Bell State Bank & Trust President Michael Solberg. “Our Bell Division in Minnesota has contributed more than $150,000 to Spare Key over the past few years. Bell State Bank & Trust is committed to Spare Key’s mission of helping families who have a seriously ill or critically injured child in the hospital. Now, North Dakota families can receive a housing payment at a time when help is needed so they can focus on their child’s recovery.”

Spare Key, a Minnesota-based nonprofit operating in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, provides housing payment assistance to families whose child has been hospitalized at least 14 out of 90 days. The goal of the program is to allow families to focus on helping their child recover, while stabilizing the family’s financial situation due to the child’s medical crisis.