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 What a testament to the goodness of our neighbors helping each other! This photo, features one room at the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP's) Olivette warehouse. Local people donated all these items to help others. We provide them free to anyone who needs them. Visit www.stlhelp.org to request free equipment to learn how you can donate used home medical equipment.
STLHELP in action.
The St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) is a breath of fresh air in access to home medical equipment. Since 2008, the nonprofit St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP) has been collecting, inspecting, repairing, cleaning and GIVING AWAY home medical equipment, FREE OF CHARGE, to anyone who needs it. without red tape, long waits or fees. Together, we help our neighbors regain mobility. Age safely at home. Be part of life. We help children with complicated medical issues learn to walk. STLHELP is a nonprofit accredited by the BBB.
Healthcare is broken.
High copays, denials, long waits, underinsurance, no insurance, supply chain shortages, the problems of healthcare is profound and interferes with people healing, regaining mobility, aging safely at home, being part of family, community, and the costs can devastate an already overwhelmed family.
In 2024, STLHELP provided STLHELP collected used home medical equipment valued at $2,058,692.00 in free equipment to local people.
Meet Hardison, age four. His grandmother shared on March 6, 2025, "My grandson is much happier and mobile. His safety in going to be so much better by having this equipment. We can put him in his new high chair and feel at ease he is safe."  Hardison, age 4, has epilepsy.
 “I used to fall at least once a day,” said Nerina Giannotti, who walks back to her condo after a therapy appointment with the support of her husband, Franco, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Creve Coeur. NerinaGiannotti has Parkinson’s disease, and her newly acquired U-step walker from St. Louis HELP provides her with more stability when walking. She says she has fallen less often since getting the walker two weeks ago. Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
"STLHELP is the ONLY organization in the region that is open to any age, income level or diagnosis." Colleen Schrappen, Post-Dispatch, COVER STORY, STLHELP, October 14, 2024.
In 2024, through the generosity of local people donating used wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, for example, that they no longer need, we helped more than 2600 local people regain or achieve mobility, and we diverted more than 150 tons of home medical equipment from area landfills into the hands of people who need it to be part of life, to age safely at home, to heal.
Helping An Aging Population
More than 70% of those STLHELP serves are age 65 or older. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “About one in seven disabled adults report that they cannot access essential medical supplies.” STLHELP is meeting the need. “STLHELP makes people safer,” said Courtney Davis, healthcare professional. “Their equipment prevents falls and improves quality of life. They can now actually take a shower!”
“STL Help is a wonderful, MUCH needed organization! Medicare and other insurance services DO NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE YOU WITH EQUIPMENT needed to help one maintain maximum freedom and ability to help heal at home.” Vernie Clark, STLHELP recipient
We help kids with special needs who slip through the cracks. We work with individuals, caregivers, families, school nurses as well as physical therapists and case managers from our regions' hospitals and rehabilitation centers to get people with special needs what they need, at no cost.
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