In this, the second month of the last year of the twentieth century, the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program has completed twenty-five years of service to this county. Happy Birthday to MCEAP! Twenty-five years, a quarter of a century, is regarded as something of a milestone, and I concur. From the outset, in 1975, we have sought to address immediate, temporary, and emergency financial situations which are encountered by our neighbors. We have sought to promote the ideas and 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 unable to fully care for themselves. Our goals have included co-ordinating our efforts with all the major agencies, 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 co-operation in helping efforts by sharing information and reducing duplication. The story of MCEAP is always a story of people: the lives of those we serve, who on receiving assistance find their circumstances altered for the better and their hope restored; the lives of those whose dedication to others lifts them to a level beyond self-concern. The MCEAP story is 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 effect changes that all may live a better life in Montgomery County. The MCEAP story is about life: the sacredness of each life and the connection we have with each other.
Through these twenty-five years MCEAP has been located in a numerous places, as we moved with New River Community Action from the Wimmer Building on Main Street, to the old locker plant (now demolished), to the building on the town square, to office on South Franklin, and then for a year and a half to the Pepper Street office, and now to NRCA's own building on Roanoke Street - all in Christiansburg, the county seat. We have been much blessed in that Community Action let us tag along all these years and for their support in our work. As I reflect on MCEAP's quarter of a century, I think of the workers we have had through the years and the dedication they have exhibited coupled with an unwavering commitment to our goals. Angela Little and Donna Turner were the initial workers provided by Community Action, they were called Community Developers back in 1975. While Angela is no longer with Community Action, she has remained on our Board all this time. Susan Walton, Judy Chaudet, and Jane Ferneyhough were the next workers and like their predecessors did a great job. In 1981 difficult financial circumstances arose for Community Action and we sought help from Montgomery County and secured funding for the MCEAP position. Jane, who came to us initially as a CETA worker, continued in the newly created position. She was followed by Pat Watkins and then Beth Ashe. When Beth moved to another job, though she is still serving on our Board and is our Treasurer, Emma Cromer became the MCEAP worker and served for about fourteen years. Emma's knowledge of people and services was almost as great as her heart in serving those in need; we still mourn her death in 1998. When Emma was moving to a part-time status, another benefit made possible by Community Action, Thea DeYoung was made a part-time worker and she was followed by Michelle Bouchard who continued until she joined the Community Action force full time. When Emma's health necessitated an additional slow-down on her part, Carrol Reid joined MCEAP full time from 1994 until 1997. She too became a Community Action worker and Melanie Collins who had co-ordinated our Clothing Bank and served as an intern was hired. I mention all these ladies and reflect on how we have benefited from their knowledge, energy, and compassion. MCEAP is a story about people.
There are many good memories as I think back over MCEAP's history. We had numerous meetings in Christiansburg and Blacksburg in an attempt to secure the support of the major social service agencies, local churches and other groups. I can not forget the supreme effort made by Doris Damiani who was the MCEAP Secretary and Treasurer from 1975 until 1993 when she moved to Florida. She worked tirelessly from the outset to help set and maintain the course for MCEAP. I remember how pleased we were when the late Bill Winder, an attorney in Christiansburg got our corporation papers filed and back within a month in 1975. Thinking back, I recall the Christiansburg Institute's boys' dorm where the initial food and clothing bank was located. I remember the different means we have used to secure food: football game drives at Tech and movie food drives. In, as I recall, 1976, we secured funding for a study and plan which resulted in the creation of the Farmers' Market in Blacksburg which operated for some years. There are a host of recollections; most of them good. For the first year, Doris and I made home visits to each client who applied for financial assistance. Angela and Donna would give us a list of names and off we went; I think we travelled every road and visited most every hollow in Montgomery County. I would not trade anything for that experience and such involvement with the lives of others.
We learned a great deal from those we sought to serve. In twenty-five years, much has been accomplished. Statistics are unable to reflect the human stories of the people we have encountered and assisted, but they do tell part of the saga. From February 1975 until December of 1999, MCEAP has spent $1,575,930. When I spoke to Mary Lou Bruton of the "Roanoke Times" the other day, I said that in 1975 we considered it a major accomplishment when we expended $10,000 that first year. Our total dollar amount for the twenty-five years represents 37,263 cases and represents 107,616 individuals (duplicated count). Last year, 1999, our total dollar expenditure increased 15.4% to $97,345.62 while the number of cases served decreased 9.6% to 1565 (representing 4507 individuals). There are several reasons to account for this: the local economy continues to be robust, with jobs fairly plentiful and the unemployment rate low; and an increase in our donations for 1999 enabled us to increase the amount of assistance provided to individual cases.
Our funding has always been generous and we give thanks for this. Last year we again ended the year with a positive balance, well positioning us for the winter months. We continued to receive munificent support from area churches, in particular I mention Blacksburg Presbyterian Church which has funded us since the beginning and St. Paul United Methodist Church which operated the gift-wrap booth at New River Mall before Christmas, and Our Saviour Lutheran Church which hosts the Potato Festival. We are an United Way Agency and are grateful to their board for its long-term support. The Trolinger Trust generously donated funds last year to MCEAP, some of which are being used this year. Phase XVII of the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program saw our funds of $13,220 considerably less than in 1998. This, too, reflects positive economic circumstances in Montgomery County. Our total allocation for Phase XVIII will be similar to 1999; we have not learned the total figure which will include the state set-aside for this county. The commitment to assisting those in need by the churches, civic groups, trusts, and individuals is remarkable and most welcome. That is part of the story of MCEAP: neighbors helping neighbors.
The story of MCEAP is and was designed to co-ordinate services and to avoid unnecessary duplication of work. At the beginning MCEAP has worked in conjunction with the other public and private social service agencies. Last year was no different, nor shall be future reflect any change. In our twenty-five year history we have worked closely with the Mont. Co. Department of Social Services, the Mont. Co. Health Department, Voluntary Action Center, the Christmas Store, the American Red Cross, CHIP, the Free Clinic of the NRV, the New River Valley Community Shelter, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the Mont. Co. Information and Referral Office. We have built a good list of local churches and religious groups, such as the Interfaith Food Pantry, which join their efforts to ours, especially with respect to referring clients to us and calling for information. Ultimately when we all avoid duplication of services we are better stewards of the resources with which we are entrusted and we more effectively serve our clients.
I mentioned New River Community Action early in this report. This good agency is essential to our twenty-five year success and I am profoundly thankful for the wonderful relationship we have had with them since 1975, our beginning. There have been a number of Executive Directors in the ensuing years from Pat Muldoon at the start to Terry Smusz today. NRCA provides back-up staff, space for our office and food bank, utilities and many other items to make MCEAP operational and visible. Our worker and the food bank are housed at NRCA which has now purchased the property at 110 Roanoke Street in Christiansburg. It is a fine facility and I invite you to stop by for a visit if you have not already done so.
The Clothing Shop continues on Main Street in Christiansburg in the basement of the old Richardson-Horne building where we moved in 1997. We are thankful to Joseph Simmons and the Main Street Investment Co. for allowing us space at for a modest rent and our share of the utilities of the building. These items are funded from the proceeds for clothing sales. The Furniture Bank remains located at Stoway Co. and we are grateful to Fred and Diane Clarkson for their efforts on our behalf. Diane frequently is present to help take in donations and assists clients with securing the items on their furniture voucher.
My theme this evening is that MCEAP is a story of people. People who see a need, see neighbors in distress, see an opportunity to make life better for someone else and, most importantly, act on what they see. The volunteers we have had over these twenty-five years who have dedicated themselves to our goals and their time to our work is impressive. The Food Bank, the Clothing Bank, the Furniture Bank, SHARE distribution, raising money, delivering items, assisting with record keeping, getting the word out about our agency has been performed, in the main, by volunteers. We could not operate with the efficiency we have without them.
The Clothing Bank has more staff now than ever before. Carolyn Whitaker is an excellent co-ordinator and together with Bill and Margie Zelinski, Joyce Wright, Loretta Langhorne, Vera Bishop, Sharon Nowlin, Clayton Williams and Donna Pero, is making our Clothing Bank more effective, attractive, and productive all the time. The task of making available clean and usable clothing is large and they have done it well and for that we thank them. Donations continue to mount, we have a steady supply of clothes throughout the year, making a good selection for clients. As with last year we are open on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Proceeds from Clothing Shop sales pay the minimal expenses we incur at the site and then are available for our financial assistance component.
Our supplies at the Food Bank, located at NRCA, remained in good shape during 1999. We have had success with donations from local churches, and numerous food drives conducted by the US Postal Workers, Boy Scout Troops, Falling Branch Elementary School, several groups at Virginia Tech, and others which enable us to have the items needed by our clients. The Kroger Co. at their stores in Christiansburg and Gables Shopping Center in Blacksburg have contributed bread, vegetables, and frozen food throughout the year. When we need to purchase food Wade's Supermarket continues to work with us by delivering our orders. At the Food Bank our volunteers have played a crucial role. Bob and Claire Kelly have worked diligently to keep the food organized and sorted, picked up donations, and built the shelves at the new office.
Our one staff position has been funded by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors since FY '80-'81. We have made our request for funding for the new fiscal year to them and have received a favorable recommendation from the County Administrator. Twenty years of their funding support has made our services available to thousands of Montgomery County residents in a way which optimizes our ability to help. We thank the Board for their consideration and the County Administrator, Jeffrey D. Johnson for his support. The County government, as it has for years, continued in 1999 to provide the use of a truck in picking up the SHARE food each month.
We remain a large SHARE Host Organization in the Montgomery County. Each client interviewed is encouraged to participate in the SHARE program that they may make their food dollars work better. Last year I announced a policy requiring clients, in certain circumstances, who seek food assistance to sign up for SHARE before obtaining additional food assistance. This policy continues in effect. The SHARE packages are distributed from the Knights of Columbus hall in Christiansburg, where we also hold our annual meetings. We thank them for their support and hospitality.
I have gone over the history of the different workers MCEAP has had during the years. We are most blessed by them. Melanie Collins, our present worker, is doing an excellent job and I thank her for her supreme dedication to our work. She represents me at meetings from time to time, especially at those of the Montgomery County Human Service Commission, and this past year she has had several speaking engagements taking the story of MCEAP to the public.
Over these many years our Board has worked hard to help MCEAP realize our goals and achieve the standing we presently enjoy. I thank them for their efforts and I am grateful to all who have served during these twenty-five years. I wish to make special mention of Angela Little and Jeanne Roper who, with myself, are founding members. They have put in thousands of hours of service in assisting the people of Montgomery County and I recognize their work. I also want to thank Beth Ashe for her work as Treasurer. She balances a difficult schedule and remains ever loyal to MCEAP. Jeanne Roper continues to serve as our secretary and I am thankful her fine work. I want to thank Nelson Carey for cooking dinner for the Board again this year.
Despite what the press told us, in a little over ten months we shall in fact enter into the 21st century and a new millennium. There is much optimism in the air, there is clearly much opportunity available. While we can rejoice in the current economic prosperity, our moral imperative to those less fortunate, who may not be sharing in the good times remains. Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you." Without exegeting all the meanings of His words let us emblazon them on our hearts and minds, understanding them as a call to service, to commitment, to viewing each human being as special and unique in the eyes of God. The mission of the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance will go forward; our work shall continue. MCEAP is well placed to see and address the sufferings of the poor, the needy, the forgotten.
I am particularly grateful to those who are here this evening as we celebrate MCEAP's twenty-fifth birthday. Thank you for your presence; but even more, thank you for your years of caring and serving and for your ongoing commitment to those of our neighbors in this county who need our help. I am grateful to God for all of you and grateful to Him for giving us this mission of outreach in Montgomery County. God bless you!<