Valley Ministries, Inc.'s 2017 Annual Report

Valley Ministries, Incorporated 2017 Annual Report

“Strengthening our community by serving Others�

20334 School Road P.O. BOX 105 Dry Run, PA 17220 (717)-349-0067 valleyministriesinc@outlook.com www.valleyministries.wordpress.com

Table of Contents

Introductory Letter

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Year in Review

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Financial Report

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The Closet Thrift Store

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The Food Pantry

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Additional Ministry Programs

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Appendix

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Dear Reader,

Welcome to Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Annual Report for the year of 2017. The Board of Directors of Valley Ministries, Inc. hope that you will find the information contained in this report to be helpful and inspiring. Please feel free to share this report with others as the Lord leads you.

Valley Ministries, Inc. was formed in February of 2015 by members of several local Churches to fill a need in Path and Amberson Valleys. Valley Ministries, Inc. operates the Food Pantry (formerly known as the Good Shepherd Food Pantry) and The Closet Thrift Store (formerly known as the Clothes Closet). Both businesses are in the Val-Med Building in Dry Run, Pennsylvania. Currently Valley Ministries, Inc. has seven members on its Board of Directors, who meet monthly to oversee the operation of this ministry. As a non-profit ministry, Valley Ministries, Inc. is ran entirely on donations and the income made by the Closet Thrift Store. Our ministry is operated entirely by volunteers, who have no special training-only a willingness to serve. All income made by the Closet Thrift Store goes directly towards purchasing food to supplement the food donations that our Food Pantry receives.

The Board of Directors for Valley Ministries, Inc. would like to express their thankfulness and gratitude firstly to God and to everyone who has supported our ministry. The foundation of our ministry is based on the Lord’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. We aspire to follow the Lord’s example and guidance in loving and serving our community. The Lord has blessed not only our ministry but our volunteers and clients as well.

We are beyond grateful for the Lord’s provision as we served and continue to serve the residents of Path and Amberson Valleys. Part of the Lord’s provision has been the immense support that we have received from local Churches, businesses, and community members. We could not serve our community without their willingness to partner with us in our ministry. Thank you!

On behalf of the Board of Directors for Valley Ministries, Inc.,

Angela Ruby Board Secretary

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2017: A Year in Review January: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry ❖ Accounts Closed for 2016 February: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry ❖ Celebrated 2nd Anniversary of our ministry March: ❖ Donation of food from Brindle’s Food Auction on March 18th ❖ Food Pantry Cleaning and Sorting Day was held on March 25th April: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry ❖ Election of Board of Directors finalized during April’s monthly meeting Board of Directors - 2017 President Pastor Phil Foster Vice President Darwin Goshorn Treasurer Brenda Rosenberry Secretary Angela Ruby Closet Manager Cindy Erwin Pantry Manager Rhonda Eckenrode Member At Large Ray Rosenberry May: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry ❖ Participated in the United States Postal Services’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 13th. Donation was nearly two tons of food items.

June: ❖ Received a food donation from Brindle’s Food Auction on June 24th July: ❖ Food donation received from an anonymous donor August: ❖ Food donations received from anonymous donors September: ❖ Closet Thrift Store Changed its hours to Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30am1:30pm. Except on Food Distribution Wednesdays, when it is open from 9:30am1pm. ❖ Valley Ministries, Inc. updated its website to: www.valleyministries.wordpress.com October: ❖ Fannett-Metal Schools Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry November: ❖ Fannett-Metal Schools Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry ❖ Food donations received from local Churches ❖ Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser held at Carrick United Methodist Church; $500.00 was raised on November 4th. ❖ LuLaRoe Fundraiser with Berylee Kreigline held at Amberson United Methodist Church; $600.00 was raised on November 5th. ❖ Received $100.00 donation and food donation from Juniata Valley Bank December: ❖ Received food donation from Path Valley Outreach on December 6th ❖ Food donations received from anonymous donors and local Churches

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Valley Ministries, Inc. 2017 Financial Report

Beginning Balance, January 1, 2017

$ 3,689.03

Expenses: Food Purchases

$ 10,052.53

Rent

$ 2,550.00

Utilities

$ 3,352.75

Dues & Subscriptions

$

862.90

Total Expenses:

$ 16,818.18

Deposits: Donations

$ 12,154.10

Closet Thrift Store Revenue

$ 3,896.50

Fundraiser Revenue

$ 1,100.00

Total Deposits:

Ending Balance, December 31, 2017

$ 17,150.60

$ 4,021.45

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The Closet Thrift Store The Closet Thrift Store, formerly known as the Clothes Closet, came under Valley Ministries, Inc.’s management in early 2015. During the summer of 2015, the basement of the Val-Med Building in Dry Run, Pennsylvania was renovated by a wonderful group of community members for the purpose of housing the Closet Thrift Store. On August 1st, 2017, Valley Ministries, Inc. celebrated the second anniversary of the Closet Thrift Store at its current location in the Val-Med Building. The Closet Thrift Store is run entirely by volunteers, and on the donations of our community. All proceeds earned in the sale of items from the Closet Thrift Store go directly towards purchasing food for our Food Pantry to supplement the donations of food we receive from the community.

Many of the items in our store are still clothing, but we do carry a wide variety of household items, books, games, toys, etc. The clothing in our store ranges in sizes from newborn infant sizes all the way to plus size clothing. We also have shoes and coats that fit in that size range as well. As with any thrift store, some sizes are in more demand than others and leave our store just as quickly as they come in. A good example of this is in our infant and children’s clothing. We gladly accept donations of gently used clothing, shoes, household items, books, toys, small appliances, small furniture, etc. Basically, if you think someone could use an item, then there is probably a person looking to buy such an item. Donations can be dropped off during the Closet Thrift Store’s hours of operation, which are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30am to 1:30pm.

During the year of 2017, the Closet Thrift Store welcomed 825 visitors, and received 366 donations. The Closet Thrift Store made $3,896.50 in support of Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry. Figure 1. in the Appendix shows the distribution of visitors, donations, and profit from sales throughout the year in 2017. Valley Ministries, Inc. would like to thank everyone who visited, donated and shopped in the Closet Thrift Store. Without all of you, we would not be able to provide food for those in need in Path and Amberson Valleys.

We are always looking for new volunteers, and we can fulfill community service hours. Several community members and students donated their time and fulfilled their service hours with us in 2017. For more information about the Closet Thrift Store, contact our store Manager Cindy Erwin at (717)-349-0067 during our hours of operation or via email at valleyministriesinc@outlook.com. You can also contact us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ValleyMinistriesInc.

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The Food Pantry Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry, formerly known as the Good Shepherd Food Pantry, came under Valley Ministries, Inc. management in February 2015. During the renovation of the basement in the Val-Med Building in Dry Run, Pennsylvania for the Closet Thrift Store in the Summer of 2015, a new waiting room, produce room, and prayer room were created for our Food Pantry. Our Food Pantry serves the residents of Path and Amberson Valleys and residents in a few adjoining towns such as Neelyton and Blairs Mills. Our Food Pantry provides supplemental food items that are meant to provide our clients with nutritious food options. We do not ask for income or Social Security information; however, we do ask for a legitimate address and phone number within our service area.

During 2017, many community members, Churches, and businesses have partnered with Valley Ministries, Inc. to assist us in providing food for our Food Pantry Clientele. Valley Ministries, Inc. thanks everyone who has: donated to our Food Pantry; set up food collections at events for our Food Pantry; volunteered at our Food Pantry in any way; and have prayed for our ministry.

We could not have served our community without your support! While many of these wonderful people wish to be anonymous, Valley Ministries, Inc. would like to acknowledge the following people, Churches, and Businesses (in no particular order) for their support in 2017: Berylee Kreigline; Rodney Brindle of Brindle’s Auction; Linda Diem of Di-Mel Tax Services; Little C’s Custom Butchering; Path Valley Outreach; Path Valley Market; Juniata Valley Bank; Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church; Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church; Carrick UMC; Amberson UMC; Spring Run UMC; Doylesburg UMC; Concord UMC; Laurel Grove UMC; Our Lady of Refuge Saint Mary’s Catholic Church; Hillside Poultry; and the Fannett-Metal School District: School Board, Administrators, teachers, and staff.

Valley Ministries, Inc. Food Pantry served 626 families, totaling 1,745 people in 2017. We were also able to give out Easter Meal packages to 40 families in 2017. Figures 2. and 3. in the Appendix show the distribution of our Food Pantry Clientele throughout the year in 2017. Along with these two figures are Tables 1. And 2. Showing a comparison of our area’s food insecurity compared to the state and national statistics. Residents of Path and Amberson Valleys in need of food may come to our Food Pantry on the first Wednesday of each month from 11am to 1pm and from 4:30pm to 6pm. For more information about Valley Ministries, Inc. Food Pantry, please contact our Food Pantry Manager, Rhonda Eckenrode at (717)-349-0067 during the time the Food Pantry is open. You may also contact us via email at valleyministriesinc@outlook.com or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ValleyMinistriesInc.

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Additional Ministry Programs Community Service Compliant Valley Ministries, Inc. is an approved location for high school students to complete required community service requirements needed for graduation or National Honor Society.

Community Liaison with Franklin County Franklin County Human Services Information and Referral (I&R) is available to anyone seeking information regarding county, state and federal services and assistance programs available to U.S. Citizens. Valley Ministries, Inc. is set up as a liaison with the Franklin County I&R Resource Office for Path Valley residents who may be uncertain of how to access the information or services that they may be eligible for.

Educational Partnership: Special Education Initiative - Fannett-Metal School District For the third year, the Life Skills classes at Fannett-Metal Schools come to our Food Pantry’s food distribution days. They volunteer to fill orders, stock shelves, and deliver orders to cars. The students have different levels of special needs: some work with their aides; some are partnered with adult ministry volunteers; and others work with general supervision. In a rural area, with few opportunities to work in the community, it gives the students a chance to see what having a job is like. Valley Ministries, Inc. would like to thank these students and their leaders. We have learned so much from these students and look forward to seeing them each month.

Prayer Ministry Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Prayer Ministry team offers prayer to our clients as they request prayer. All our food distributions and events are opened with prayer. Clients of Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry and Closet Thrift Store are welcome to use the Prayer room during their visits to our businesses. We also have Bibles and other religious books available for their use, and to take home with them as they need to.

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Appendix Figure 1. The Closet Thrift Store distribution of visitors, donations, and profit from sales in 2017.

Figure 2. The Food Pantry distribution of families and total people served in 2017.

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Appendix Continued Figure 3. The Food Pantry distribution of Children and Adults served in 2017.

Table 1. Breakdown of Food Insecurity Rates.

Information in Table 1. was formulated using population numbers gathered in the 2010 census. The food insecurity percentages for the national, state, and county levels are from 2015 data compiled by Feeding America. The food insecurity percentage for Senior Citizens was taken from 2014 data compiled by AARP. The number of School Age Children was taken from Fannett-Metal School Districts website, where they have estimated that 530 children are enrolled in their schools. The food insecurity percentage used for School Age Children was from 2016 data compiled by No Kid Hungry.

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Appendix Continued Table 2. Comparison of our service of Senior Citizens and School Age Children to the information in Table 1.

The information in Table 2. was formulated by using the total number of people Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry served in 2017, which was 1,745 people. As you can see, School Age Children and Senior Citizens make up 52% of the people we served in 2017.

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Matthew 25:35

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