On the twenty-seventh anniversary of the founding of the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, we must reflect that the year just past contained events which have changed the world. The terrorist attacks on our country, the war on terrorism, and the acknowledgement that the economy is in recession have had major impacts on the nation. Closer to home and touching upon MCEAP's work, the recession effected us directly and produced the largest year in terms of dollars expended and cases served in our history.
As we review the statistics for 2001 we find that the twenty-seventh year of operation from February 1975 through December of 2001, was our biggest year. For the twenty-seven years, MCEAP has expended $1,813,824, representing 40,644 cases or 117,400 individuals (duplicated count). In 2001, our total dollar expenditure increased 15.3% to $127,446.30 and the number of cases served increased 14.1% to 1802 (representing 5205 individuals). We read national reports of an economic downturn and have locally begun to experience it as industry layoffs have increased. We are serving clients who have never before had to seek assistance from social service agencies.
Funding throughout 2001 remained extremely strong. Area churches have continued to be most generous by including MCEAP in their budgets and in sponsoring, again, annual projects benefitting us. I mention Our Saviour Lutheran Church's Potato Festival and St. Paul United Methodist Church's Christmas Gift Wrap project. Parishes such as Blacksburg Presbyterian Church gave sizeable grants last year. As with the year 2000, the Potato Festival was matched by the Aid Association for Lutherans and gifts to SHARE and the New River Valley Free Clinic increased out ability to serve clients with food packages and prescriptions. The United Way of Montgomery, Floyd, and Radford funded MCEAP again and we received several generous grants from the Trolinger Trust. Our FEMA (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) funds increased over 2000 to $18,024.64 for Phase XIX and we shall receive Phase XX funding.
During the past year we continued our long-stand commitment towards the avoidance of duplication of services and co-ordination of efforts by working in partnership with the major social service agencies of this county; the Mont. Co. Department of Social Services, the Mont. Co. Health Department, the Free Clinic of the NRV, the New River Family Shelter, CHIP, American Red Cross, the Christmas Store, to mention some. We also worked closely with area churches to further our goal of proper stewardship of resources.
As always, we give special mention to New River Community Action which has provided MCEAP so much over twenty-seven years. The office space, location of our food bank, back-up staff are only part of the fine relationship we share with them and for which we are grateful. As part of our efforts as a partner agency, we have from its inception been a SHARE host organization and encourage clients to increase their food-buying capacity by utilizing this service.
I am pleased to report that the Clothing Shop has had an extremely successful year. The Shop has been located at the former Richardson-Horne building on Main Street in Christiansburg and offers free clothing to our clients with vouchers and sells clothing at modest cost the proceeds of which pay our rent and utilities with the remainder benefiting our financial aid fund. The furniture bank remains at Stoway Co. where the Fred and Diane Clarkson are helpful to both donors and recipients.
Our volunteer staff is at the core of our success. The contribution of time and effort at the food, clothing, and furniture banks, at SHARE distribution, and in the office has insured that our ability to assist those in need proceeds in an efficient and timely fashion. I wish to thank Carolyn Whitaker and the volunteers at the Clothing Bank, Bob and Claire Kelly at the food bank, and Cecil Underwood who picks up and delivers furniture. I also wish to thank Michael Flinchum whose efforts for us have been manifold in many aspects of our work.
Last year I spoke to you about an exciting possibility for a new program raising funds for food. I am delighted to report to you that the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, under the able leadership of project manager Mark Lukehart designed and carried forth the Flex Out Hunger program at Virginia Tech, soliciting donations from students, faculty, and staff from the electronic food cards most have. From their donations and an additional donation from Wade's Food, over $19,000 was raised. We thank them and the administration of Virginia Tech in the Residential and Dining Programs offices, especially Dr. Edward Spencer and Mr. Rick Johnson. This program was allowed as a two-year pilot; 2002 is the second year. As a result of this program and from generous donations by Scout groups, other Virginia Tech groups, area businesses and civic groups, and the United States Postal Workers the Food Bank has been well stocked throughout the year.
The Board of Supervisors of Montgomery County have funded the one MCEAP staff position since FY '80-'81 and did so in 2001. Our request for the next fiscal year was submitted in December for FY 2002-2003. This year we have requested additional funding to pay for the 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. We await the County's decision. We thank the Board and the County Administrator, Jeffrey D. Johnson for their support of many years. Melanie Collins has completed her fourth year as our Emergency Assistance Specialist; she really has been associated with MCEAP for eight and a half years. Her work is excellent and she has built a fine reputation for dedication and knowledge among other agencies. On a number of occasions when other duties took me elsewhere, she has spoken to other groups on MCEAP's behalf. I thank her for her dedication and efforts.
I count it a special privilege to work with our Board of Directors and thank them for their commitment to MCEAP and the less fortunate of this county. As always, I thank Beth Ashe for her talent and time donated in serving as our Treasurer and to Jeanne Roper for her skill as our Secretary. Nelson Carey also has my thanks for his fine culinary arts which have been shared with us again tonight.
It is a tribute to MCEAP and our mission to have the outstanding volunteers and supporters, many of whom are with us tonight. I appreciate your efforts.
This next year will bring its challenges; as does every year. It remains to be seen what economic conditions will prevail; an upturn is forecast. We remain vigilant and prepared to serve people in need in Montgomery County, Virginia and by God's grace shall do so.
God bless you for your help and for caring to help!