MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INC.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2002

(PRESENTED ON FEBRUARY 18, 2003 BY THE PRESIDENT, PHILIP PAPPAS)

In 1975, Father Harry B. Scott III founded the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program. Its philosophy has always been to promote the ideals of personal responsibility and self sufficiency for individuals and families, maintaining the dignity necessary to become or continue as productive, contributing members of our society. We have sought to address the needs of some who are temporarily unable to fully care for themselves. Our goals have included coordinating our efforts with all the major and smaller agencies, churches, civic groups and individuals who, like us, seek to bring relief to hardship and suffering. We have striven to encourage and promote inter-agency cooperation by sharing information and reducing duplication.

MCEAP is a story about people. The lives of those we serve, who on receiving assistance, find their situations altered for the better and their hope for a better life restored. It is about the lives of those whose dedication to others lifts them to a level beyond self interest. It is a story about people and about this community. It is a story of neighbors caring about the lives and well being of each other and being willing to sacrifice to bring about changes that all may live a better life. Without the support of the many who have aided us, without the trust of the community at large, and without the assistance of local government, our task would have been impossible. The MCEAP story is about life and the faith that we have in one another.

As we have gathered for this annual meeting, let's review the statistics for 2002. The number of cases served was 1,737 representing 5,002 individuals. This was down slightly from 2001 record year of 1,802 cases. Our total dollar expenditure however, was $138,562, up from 2001's $127,446. The 28-year total for MCEAP expenditures have equaled $1,952,386 representing 42,446 cases or 122,244 individuals.

Funding throughout 2002 has continued to be generous and we concluded the year with a positive balance. As in past years, area churches again have continued to be our most generous contributors. They include MCEAP in their budgets and sponsor annual projects on our behalf. In particular, such projects as our Savior Lutheran Church's Potato Festival and St. Paul United Methodist Church's Christmas Gift Wrap project. Blacksburg Presbyterian also made sizeable contributions. The Aid to Lutherans also matched the Potato Festival with gifts to share and the New River Valley Free Clinic. This, in turn, increased our ability to serve clients with food packages and prescriptions. The United Way of Montgomery, Floyd, and Radford funded MCEAP again, as well as generous grants from the Trolinger Trust. Our FEMA (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) funds for 2002 were $16,384. I might add that in the past, FEMA money allotted to Montgomery County was divided two ways, with MCEAP getting 80% and the Community Shelter getting 20%. This year's Phase XXI FEMA money will be divided three ways with the addition of the Women's Resource Center. They will get 5% and MCEAP's share will be reduced to 75%. However, since the total FEMA amount has been increased to $24,255, MCEAP's reduced percentage of $18,191 is still more than last year's allotment.

Each year, we give special mention to New River Community Action for their generous support since our beginning. The office space, location of our food bank, and backup staff are only part of the fine relationship we share with them and for which we are grateful. We have also been from the start a SHARE host organization and encourage clients to increase their food-buying capacity by utilizing this service.

Our clothing bank has had an exceptional year, especially since moving to our new location at 409 Roanoke Street in Christiansburg. This move was made possible by the generosity of the building's owner, Mrs. Mary B. Straub who is allowing us to use the facility at a reduced rent. Clothing is free to our clients with vouchers, while others are sold at modest costs. Proceeds pay our rent and utilities with the remaining going to our general fund.

The furniture bank remains at Stoway Co. where Fred and Diane Clarkson continue to assist both donors and recipients.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors funded MCEAP's one paid staff position along with additional funding to pay for office space we use at the Montgomery Area Office of New River Community Action and to cover some indirect costs associated with the MCEAP position. A request was recently made to continue that funding and I have been lead to believe that this in fact will occur. We thank the Board and County Administrator, Jeff Johnson, for their continued support.

Once again, our heartfelt thanks go out to Melanie Collins, our Emergency Assistance Specialist, whose knowledge and dedication are the backbone of our organization and to our Board of Directors for their extra commitment to MCEAP this year, especially our Secretary - Jeanne Roper and Treasurer - Beth Ashe.

As we look back on the past 12 months, the statistics indicate we have had another successful year. But on September 19, 2002, MCEAP and this community suffered a devastating blow with the death of our Founder and only President, Father Scott.

As the new president, the task at hand seemed overwhelming, but with the support of the Board of Directors taking a more active role, the dedicated work of our Emergency Assistance Specialist, the support of our dedicated volunteers and a lot of prayers, MCEAP has weathered the storm and will continue to be a vital source of help for the needy of our county.

All who knew Father Scott have been blessed and are now challenged to continue his wonderful mission.

God bless you for your help and for caring to help others.