Valley Ministries, Incorporated 2019 Annual Report
“Strengthening our community by serving Others�
20344 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 2019. 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. These Board of Directors for 2019 are: Pastor Phil Foster as President, Pastor Darwin Goshorn as Vice President, Brenda Rosenberry as Treasurer, Angela Ruby as Secretary, Cindy Erwin as Manager of the Closet Thrift Store, Rhonda Eckenrode as Manager of the Food Pantry, and Ray Rosenberry as a Member at Large. As a non-profit ministry, Valley Ministries, Inc. is running 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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2019: A Year in Review
January: ❖ Accounts Closed for 2018. ❖ Received food donations from Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run UMC, and several community members. February: ❖ Celebrated the 4th Anniversary of our ministry. ❖ Received a food donation from Path Valley Outreach and a local farmer donated 400lbs of beef. March: ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach, Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church’s Youth Group, and a community member. ❖ Received a monetary donation from Carrick UMC and Fort Loudon UMC. ❖ Elections were held for the Board of Directors. April: ❖ Received a monetary and food donation from Juniata Valley Bank. ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach and community members. ❖ Handed out 63 Easter Meals to people in need on April 15th. May: ❖ Participated in the United States Postal Services’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 11th. Donation was 1,800lbs of food items. ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach, Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church, and Doylesburg UMC. June: ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach, Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Salem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Hall, and a community member. ❖ Received monetary donations from Epiroc in Fort Loudon, Concord UMC, Doylesburg UMC, and Laurel Grove UMC. July: ❖ Received a food donation from Path Valley Outreach. ❖ Received a donation of items from Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. August: ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach and community members. ❖ Received monetary donations from Hopewell UMC in Newberg, Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, and a community member. 4
September: ❖ Received a food donation from Path Valley Outreach. ❖ Received monetary donations from Hopewell UMC in Newberg and a community member. October: ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach and Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church. ❖ Received monetary donations from Path Valley Outreach, Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Group, Hopewell UMC in Newberg, and several community members. November: ❖ Received monetary donations from the FM Elementary School Faculty and Staff, Di-Mel, Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Hopewell UMC, Laurel Grove UMC’s Secret Sisters Group, and several community members. ❖ Received food donations from Salem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Hall, and Path Valley Outreach. ❖ Gave out 61 Thanksgiving meals to people in need on November 25th. December: ❖ Partnered with Carrick UMC to provide 28 Christmas meals for local families in need. ❖ Received food donations from Path Valley Outreach, Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church, and Amberson UMC. ❖ Received monetary donations from Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Hopewell UMC in Newberg, and several community members. ❖ Received a large clothing donation from two Fannett-Metal High School student’s National Honors Society clothing drive project.
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Valley Ministries, Inc. 2019 Financial Report
Beginning Balance, January 1, 2019
$ 3,311.55
Expenses: Food Purchases
$ 11,736.08
Rent
$ 3,600.00
Utilities
$ 1,061.15
Miscellaneous
$
315.47
Total Expenses:
$ 16,712.70
Deposits & Credits: Donations
$ 13,321.29
Closet Thrift Store Revenue
$ 3,771.01
Credits
$
Total Deposits & Credits:
Ending Balance, December 31, 2019
138.20 $ 17,230.50
$ 3,829.35
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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, 2019, Valley Ministries, Inc. celebrated the fourth 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, small pieces of furniture, 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. 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 2019, the Closet Thrift Store welcomed 645 visitors, and received 395 donations. The Closet Thrift Store made $ 3,771.01 in support of Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry. Figure 1. in the Appendix shows the growth of the Closet Thrift Store from 2017 to 2019. Valley Ministries, Inc. would like to thank everyone who visited, donated and shopped in the Closet Thrift Store. We would also like to thank all our volunteers, who do so much behind the scenes work. 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 2019. 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. Our Food Pantry serves the residents of Path and Amberson Valleys, Blairs Mills, East Waterford, and Neelyton areas. 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 areas. During 2019, 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 random order) for their support in 2019: Linda Diem of Di-Mel Tax Services; Little C’s Custom Butchering; Bill Swailes; 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; Fort Loudon UMC; Our Lady of Refuge Saint Mary’s Catholic Church; Hillside Poultry; Hopewell UMC in Newberg; Salem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Hall; Epiroc in Fort Loudon; Dollar General Stores in Spring Run and Roxbury; and the Fannett-Metal School District: School Board, Administrators, teachers, and staff. Valley Ministries, Inc. Food Pantry served 633 families, totaling 1,830 people in 2019. We were also able to give out Easter Meal packages to 63 families, and Thanksgiving Meal packages to 61 families in 2019. Our Food Pantry also partnered with Carrick United Methodist Church’s Christmas Assistance Program by giving out Christmas Meal packages to 28 families. Figure 2. in the Appendix shows the variation of our Food Pantry Clientele throughout the previous four years. Along with this figure 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, Blairs Mills, East Waterford, and Neelyton areas 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. We can also provide community service work for adults. 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. 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. Christmas Assistance Program Partnership Valley Ministries, Inc. was honored to partner again with Carrick United Methodist Church for their Christmas Assistance Program (formerly known as Sierra’s Toy Box). Our Food Pantry provided 28 Christmas Meals to local families in need enrolled through this program.
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Appendix Figure 1. The comparison of the Closet Thrift Store’s distribution of visitors, donations, and profit from sales in 2017 through 2019.
Figure 2. The Food Pantry distribution of clientele from the year 2016 to 2019.
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Appendix Continued Table 1. Breakdown of Food Insecurity Rates. Population Demographic USA: Adults USA: Children Pennsylvania: Adults Pennsylvania: Children Franklin County: Adults Franklin County: Children Path and Amberson Valley: Senior Citizens School Age Children in Fannett-Metal School District
250,995,558 78,135,338
People with Food Insecurity 31,374,445 13,283,007
Percentage of Food Insecure People 12.5% 17%
10,155,999
1,218,720
12%
2,651,061
434,774
16.4%
117,675
12,121
10.3%
37,160
5,908
15.9%
1,134
215
19%
510
81
15.9%
Total Population
Information in Table 1. was formulated using population numbers gathered from the United States’ Census Population Calculator using the date of December 31 st, 2019. The food insecurity percentages for the national, state, and county levels are from 2017 data compiled by Feeding America. The food insecurity percentage for Senior Citizens was taken from 2017 data compiled by AARP. The number of School Age Children was taken from Fannett-Metal School Districts’ website for the 2019-2020 school year. The food insecurity percentage used for School Age Children was from 2018 data compiled by No Kid Hungry. Table 2. Comparison of our service of Senior Citizens and School Age Children to the information in Table 1. Age Category School Age Children Senior Citizens
Number of People We Served in 2019 461 518
Percentage of the People We Served in 2019 25% 28%
The information in Table 2. was formulated by using the total number of people Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry served in 2019, which was 1,830 people. As you can see, School Age Children and Senior Citizens make up 53% of the people we served in 2019.
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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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