Marion County Community Ministries

MCCM Results for 2016

2016 was a busy year for MCCM. As you can see from the Figure 1, we distributed 9,508 boxes of food  to 6,711 families. We have 1,295 active families who needed food assistance during 2016, so obviously some families needed assistance more than once. Figure 2 shows the actual visit distribution. The total number of visits was 1,290 which means that 5 families are on the way to independence and will soon become “inactive” and 626 families needed assistance 3 or fewer times. That’s good news!

The Good Neighbors Program paid grants totaling $21,669 to various utility companies on behalf of 308 families. As you can see from the Figure 3 the Good Neighbors Program had to close during the summer months in order to conserve resources for the winter months.

The Food Bank and Good Neighbors Programs will be closed on Christmas Eve, December 24 and New Years Eve.

Again this month, we have Good News and we have Bad News!

First the Good News:

The building foundation has been reinforced and strengthened, the building is straight and level, the new HVAC unit has been installed to replace the failing and woefully inadequate unit that was there and our electric bill is considerably lower because of the increased efficiency of the new HVAC unit.

Now for the bad news:

The repairs cost MCCM $20,635.

If you would like to help us defray the $20,635 cost of these building repairs we would greatly appreciate your help.

Please make your check payable to:

‘MCCM Building Fund’
PO Box 681,
Sequatchie, TN 37374.

Work was to have begun on July 27 to correct the building settling issues. Unfortunately a bunch of neighborhood dogs has taken up residence in the crawl space having found a way around the barrier guarding the entrance. Our canine neighbors brought with them a nasty infestation of fleas who did not want to be intruded upon by workers. We have suspended work for two weeks while an exterminator rids the building crawlspace of the infestation.

We hope to report in next month’s newsletter that the building has been repaired and that our HVAC is repaired.

If you would like to help us defray the $20,000 cost of these building repairs we would greatly appreciate your help.

Please make your check payable to ‘MCCM Building Fund’ and mail it to PO Box 681, Sequatchie, TN 37374.

Good Neighbors Reopens tomorrow, October, 4, 2016. Thanks to all who have contributed to building up our resources so that we can reopen.

The annual US Postal Service Letter Carrier’s campaign called ‘Help Stamp Out Hunger’ was again a success.

We are very grateful for the letter carriers in Marion County for their hard work in collecting food for MCCM.

This year’s drive resulted in excess of 4,000 pounds or two tons of food collected. That translates to approximately 3,300 meals.

Our MCCM Facility is in need of some major work:

• The HVAC unit is old and unreliable and needs to be replaced. Estimated cost is around $8,000.
• We added blown-in insulation to the ceiling of the building to reduce HVAC operational costs.
• The building itself is old (circa 1878) and the foundation is noticeably settling.
• The HVAC unit and duct work cannot be replaced until we solve the building problem.

We have been assured by several local construction companies that the building is safe to use until we can repair the settling problem.

The board is working with an architectural and engineering company to determine a plan of action.

We have received 2 estimates, to date, for approximately $11,000 and $18,000 to repair the building.

In the near future we will need to conduct a campaign to raise the money to pay for these repairs.

Please keep MCCM in your prayers.

Food insecurity exists in every county and congressional district in the country. But not everyone struggling with hunger qualifies for federal nutrition assistance. Please watch the following video to learn what ‘Food Insecurity Means:

As the figure below shows, 15.2% of our friends and neighbors in Marion County are suffering from Food Insecurity.

How can you help us fight Food Insecurity in Marion County?

1. Pray for Us
2. Volunteer (2 hours per month)
3. Organize a Food Drive
4. Get your Church Involved
5. Make a Contribution:
   • Food
   • Money
   • Canned goods
   • Produce from your garden

Marion County Community Ministries is a 501 (c)(3) Corporation.

All or part of your gift may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
Please check with your tax adviser.

Contributions may be mailed also to:

MCCM
PO Box 681
Sequatchie, TN 37374-0681