Welfare reform has now been in the news and much discussed seriously for several years. Following the leadership shown by states like this Commonwealth, the United States Congress has passed and the President signed legislation which extends the efforts of many in this land to the whole country. This is an important step for our country as, nationally, we make the philosophical step from excessive dependence upon the Federal government for solving the problem of poverty to increasing personal accountability, encouraging and promoting self-sufficiency, and re-awakeninglocalities to their responsibility for their neighbors. As it has become apparent that Federal programs, however well intentioned at the outset, have failed families and individuals of this country, so now we and all in all cities and counties must look honestly into the faces of those less well off than ourse - and seek to help and empower them to regain control of their lives. To use a Biblical image, we cannot ignore Lazarus at the gate, or expect those in Washington will do something for him. Part of this mission is the careful maintenance of a safety net for those on the way to more productive lives and care for those who are unable through disability or age to care for themselves.
The principles of accountability, responsibility, sensibility, and self-sufficiency have been guiding the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program since its inception twenty-two years ago. We have been a local safety net for Montgomery County since 1975. I am proud of the work we have done here and proud of the people and officials of this county who have supported us. We have always sought to provide temporary, immediate, and emergency assistance to the low-income, elderly, and handicapped individuals and families in this area; working in conjunction with other agencies and groups to avoid duplication of service. We have achieved, in good measure, our goal of serving as a clearing house for information, particularly among area churches.
As we gather for our annual meeting, let us review our twenty-second year of operations by taking note of some of the statistics: the total dollar amount disbursed since 1975 is $1,281,880. This has been expended in serving 32,278 cases and represents 93,605 individuals (duplicated count). For the year 1996, our total dollar expenditure, as with last year, dropped 3.8% to $95,905.00 from 1995, and the number of cases served dropped 7% to 1831 (representing over 5300 individuals). Several factors account for this: the economic condition of the county has again continued to show improvement with unemployment figures less than 4%, and the FEMA grant to Montgomery County and to MCEAP was again reduced 13.8% from last year. I continue to make the point that the economic improvement, which benefits many people in this county, has not altered our regularly continuing to see first time clients.
Funding for 1996 was generous. We continue as an United Way agency and are grateful to the United Way of Montgomery County and Radford We continued to receive monies from the Trolinger Trust and we are in the budgets of a number of area churches. Special note and thanks is due to St. Paul United Methodist Church in Christiansburg which operated the gift wrap booth at New River Mall during Christmas (earning a record amount) and for Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. We again received generous support from several civic groups and businesses. Phase XIV of the FEMA
Emergency Food and Shelter Program saw our funds reduced $17,942 from over $20,829 the previous year. Please remember that in 1994, our FEMA allocation was over $40,000. All of these contributors along with a number of individual donors enabled us to successfully fund our programs and enter the winter months with a positive balance. Fortunately, this winter has not proven as severe as that of last year.
1996 was another successful year of close co-operation with area social service agencies. This aspect of our work is a cornerstone in our effort to avoid duplication of services and to provide coordinated efforts in best assisting people in their needs. It is also crucial in our serving as a funnel or clearing house for emergency financial needs. Last year we worked with the Montgomery County Department of Social Services, the Health Department, American Red Cross, Voluntary Action Center, the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, Montgomery County Community Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, the Christmas Store, the Community Services Board, the Salvation Army, the Lions Club, and the Montgomery County Information and Referral office. We work continuously with area religious groups who are encouraged to (and do) refer clients to us and seek advice on others who need help. It is always both a necessity and most of all a pleasure to remark the roll played in our program by the people at New River Community Action. They are absolutely essential to our success. They generously provide space for our office and food bank, utilities, back-up staff, and an host services we need. We are appreciative of our partnership with NRCA for these twenty-two years.
One of MCEAP's greatest strengths is our volunteers which God has provided us over these many years. With only one paid staff member our program is greatly dependent on the contributions of time made by most who work with our program. This past year saw the retirement of Hazel and Armando Casar as our Clothing Shop Co-ordinators and we thank them for the work they did for us. The Clothing Shop is now run by Melanie Collins, no stranger to our program as she has served as intern and volunteer for four years now and is one of the finest volunteers we have ever had. She has recruited a number of tireless workers at the Clothing Shop who, with our other volunteers, are deeply committed to our goals. In addition to their work at the clothing shop, volunteers pick up and deliver furniture and other items donated to us. In this regard, we appreciate the exceptional efforts of Cecil Underwood who operates one of the Christiansburg boarding houses and also provides us with pick-up and delivery services.
No doubt you are somewhat aware of the Clothing Shop location saga. Frank and Carol Hubbard, who for a number of years provided us with free space for the store (for which we remain thankful), needed the space we occupied for additional boarding rooms. We moved from there last spring, going across the street to the old cafeteria in the Health-Tex building owned by Montgomery County and operated by the Industrial Development Authority. They graciously agreed to rent us space at low cost with the understanding that when their scheduled renovations to the building began, we would have to vacate. These renovations are planned for this coming summer and we are in the process of negotiating another location in Christiansburg.
Due to the wonderful efforts of Melanie Collins, her mother, Carolyn Whitaker, Bill and Margie Zelinski, Joyce Wright, and others, the Clothing Shop is at its highest level of organization, donationsare at record levels, and we are open for business more hours. The proceeds from the Clothing Shop supplement our general fund, increasing our ability to provide needed financial assistance.
Our Furniture Bank remains at Stowayand we thank Fred and Diane Clarkson for their work and dedication to our program. We also thank Clinton Graves for allowing us to continue to store the remaining used clothes from the Christmas Store in his building.
MCEAP was involved in two special projects. We administered funds collected for a Virginia Tech staff member's medical needs, paying hospital and doctor bills as monies became available and we served as a conduit for funds collected to assist a family purchase tracking equipment for a family member.
The Food Bank is located at NRCA and has generally been well stocked through the year thanks to area churches, the Christmas Store's donation of their remaining canned food, the Postal Workers Food Drive, a Cub Scout Pack, a Girl Scout Troop, and bread donated by Harris Teeter. When we have purchased food, Wade's Foods continues to work us by delivering the food to our food bank.
We continue to be grateful to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and especially - _ Mrs. Betty S. Thomas, County Administrator, for their continuing support last year in funding our one staffposition. I wish to add a note about Mrs. Thomas. She has been a supporter of MCEAP since she became County Administrator many years ago. Her personal support and enthusiasm for our work has been a mainstay for us. I pray God's blessings upon her in her new endeavors and give thanks for her outstanding work in Montgomery County. She will be greatly missed.
The MCEAP position has been funded by the Board of Supervisors since FY 80-81 and is essential in our providing our services to the community. The county continues to allow us the use of a truck in picking up the SHARE food each month and we thank them. We have been and continue as the largest SHARE Host Organization in the New River Valley, frequently with over one hundred units each month. Our clients are encouraged to participate in this program which enables them to extend their food dollars. Carrol Reid, the MCEAP worker, is in her third year with MCEAP and is doing a fine job. She offers many helpful insights into our work. Emma Cromer, now a NRCA worker, is still assigned to MCEAP, where her skills and wisdom are much in demand and are appreciated.
As always, I want to express my thankfulness to our Board members for another year of service and commitment to MCEAP and its program. I especially want to thank retiring member Dixon Hanna for his years of service to us. In his stead, we welcome David Roper to our ranks. I am grateful to Jeanne Howard Roper for her work as our secretary and Beth Ashe for her work as Treasurer; they both do a wonderful job and provide much needed help to our efforts.
For many years we have steadfastly dedicated ourselves to those of our neighbors in this community who are less fortunate. This task and mission is not completed and our fervor must not waver. There is much work to be done and by God's grace we shall have the strength and foresight to proceed.
I thank each of you for being here this evening and for your good work on behalf of the those in need in Montgomery County. God bless you for caring!