FARMINGTON — The First Congregational Church of Farmington recently took over Annie’s Beanpole, a lending library for medical equipment. Holman Parish House now is its new home. There are no fees and no due dates. People need to just sign a waiver and the equipment can be borrowed for as long as it’s needed, according to a news release from the church.

“This feels like a perfect fit for our church,” said Sherry Jenckes, moderator of First Congregational, in the release.

Annie’s Beanpole was created in 2004 by Betsy Judkins for people who fall between the cracks of the insurance industry: those who earn enough to have a co-pay, but too little to be able to easily afford specialized equipment. Her family was in just such a situation after her husband Gearry was in a serious automobile accident. When a loved one is ill or injured, she realized, worrying about the cost of medical equipment is the last thing a person needs.

Betsy Judkins named Annie’s Beanpole after her grandmother who benefited from a similar community closet after she experienced a stroke, and after her husband, whose dream of growing beans up his no-longer-needed crutches sustained him during his long recovery.

On Jan. 24, church members gathered at the Holman Parish House to organize the equipment. As of Feb. 1, Annie’s Beanpole is back in service from its new home at the parish house, offering several kinds of crutches and walkers, as well as hospital bed rails, wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, shower seats, grab bars, tub rails, glucometers and more.

For more information, call the church office at 778-0424.