2021 Annual Report by MUSTMinistries

A GOLDEN celebrating YEAR 50 years of MUST MINISTRIES

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

miracles

In March 2020, organizations and businesses in our country temporarily closed as employees and volunteers hurried home to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thinking we would only be away from our offices and work sites for a few short weeks, we never dreamed we would be facing 2022 with the stubborn pandemic still hanging over us. COVID conditions have affected everything in our lives, and MUST Ministries is no different. We put new distribution methods in place, we learned to function on far fewer volunteers, we fought scarcity and supply chain issues. On top of that, we miraculously built a 44,000 square-foot shelter for those living in homelessness.

While the pandemic has been difficult and heartbreaking, we have seen many answered prayers and miracles during our 50th anniversary. We remain steadfast in our mission. Serving our neighbors in need has never been in such demand. And we couldn’t do it without you.

Serving our neighbors in need,

Ike Reighard | Pres. and CEO

Annual Report

MUST raised the money for a new mobile pantry and fully renovated a large bus with the support of our friends at Kroger and Mt. Bethel Church. A new workforce development portal was established and we began offering a best-in-class resume-writing program with our partners Hiration. Eviction Prevention money became available and MUST was selected to distribute it to our clients. Summer Lunch and the Christmas Toy Shops set records. Neighborhood Pantries in public schools expanded to reach students in 100 schools. And all program locations faithfully served thousands while keeping Covid protocol.

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While the challenges seem endless as poverty increased, the generosity and compassion of our partners have also been endless.

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Dear MUST Partner,

e h t r o f e n O story books hi

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Our long-anticipated 50th anniversary year brought celebrations, challenges and opportunities for MUST Ministries. Celebrations like raising the money for a new mobile pantry bus that will serve thousands who live in food deserts or lack transportation. Challenges like the devastating fire that ripped through a permanent supportive housing unit owned by MUST that housed our clients with mental and physical disabilities. Opportunities like the return of Gobble Jog, our largest fundraiser of the year and a cherished tradition for many families here and from all over the country.

God continued to work through our passionate staff, board, supporters and volunteers to help nearly 46,000 unique individuals in need in 2021 – more than any year in MUST’s long history.

MUST served a record 45,851 people in need last year.

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Last year, MUST used 89% of total expenses for direct client programing, a highly effective use of donor’s charitable funds. Charity Navigator, an independent charity rating agency, recently awarded MUST their top 4-star rating for the 7th consecutive year with a 97.1 score out of 100 points! MUST is ranked in the top 14% of charities in America!

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When Rev. Wayne Williams opened MUST in 1971, surely he never dreamed of the celebrations, challenges and opportunities the next 50 years would bring his organization. But, through all of our donors, volunteers, staff and community partners, we have helped untold millions of people searching for stable lives.

food

Since the first food pantry opened in 1975, feeding our neighbors in need has been at the core of our mission. What started with a small food pantry grew and 10 years later we added our Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen with a small stove and five tables. In all, MUST served nearly 2.7 million pounds of food last fiscal year.

The Neighborhood Pantries served 9,809 students and their families from more than 100 schools. At the peak of the pandemic, MUST distributed nearly 3.5 tons of food a day, primarily in our three program locations. 89,772 meals served in the Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen Senior food regularly takes meals to 161 older clients who need food assistance. Summer Lunch served 25 children in need with 1,250 lunches during 10 weeks when it launched in 1995. In 2021, Summer Lunch ditributed a record-breaking 537,527 meals to children across seven counties. 135,683 baked goods distributed in four locations

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1985, MUST opened its first shelter named SNOR (Safe Nights of Rest). Last year, the Elizabeth Inn shelter and hotel overflow served 1,272 guests. Eviction Prevention was a tremendous effort this year, as 1,714 individuals entered MUST’s diverse housing programs with guidance from experienced, compassionate case managers. In all, MUST provided $2,849,170 in eviction prevention funding to those in need.

housing On any given night, MUST is providing around 400 people with a bed and a roof to cover their heads. 2021 was a particularly challenging year for housing as the pandemic evolved but never disappeared, and many came to us without stable housing.

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In 1985, MUST opened its first shelter In

MUST Hope House, a brand new, 44,000 square-foot shelter, was recently completed. The shelter will open in the spring and house 136 guests, plus another 36 in respite beds for inclement weather.

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Prior to the pandemic, MUST spent $5,000 a month to place overflow clients in hotel rooms. In 2021, the demand skyrocketed to $40,000 a month in hotel vouchers.

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346 clients obtained employment

workforce development

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605 clients helped with job coaching and assistance $8.81 million returned to local economy through client employment Clients saw a $12.67 average hourly wage Proper work attire: Steel-toed boots, slip-resistant shoes and other workready apparel enabled our clients to meet minimum safety standards and be prepared for new jobs.

One of the most important aspects of financial stability is establishing a stable income through a good job with benefits. This significant wrap-around service was launched early in MUST’s journey as a job assistance program in 1984. Today, our Workforce Development clients receive one-on-one career assessments, stateof-the-art resumes, job-search techniques and job interview skills to help them transform their lives by earning a steady income at a livable wage.

A new Jobs Hotline opened for weekday assistance: 470-313-1960. MUST not only provides jobs assistance for MUST shelter clients, but anyone who needs help.

healthcare clinics

Understanding that mental and physical wellness are key to reducing poverty, MUST Partnered with Mercy Care and later KSU School of Nursing in 1990 to provide healthcare. Near the end of the 2020 fiscal year, MUST relaunched the Mercy Care Clinic on the Marietta campus. Services include primary care, behavioral health, HIV prevention, referrals to x-ray and ultrasound and numerous screenings.

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That same year, Bethesda Community Clinic launched a mobile clinic at MUST’s Cherokee location. Our partner provides primary care coupled with health promotion and wellness programs that aim to motivate positive changes in order to prevent, control and reverse chronic illnesses.

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8,826 clients received 69,980 items of clothing 5,009 children served through Christmas Toy Shops for children age 0-18 1,172 baby and adult diapers provided 51,590 hygiene kits distributed

What began as a tiny clothing closet in 1972 eventually developed into a large donation center, three clothes closets and a thrift store called MUST MarketPlace where clients shop for free and the public finds great bargains to help support the ministry.

Clothing + other services

staff MUST + volunteers

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Despite the pandemic, MUST’s faithful staff and volunteers continued to serve record numbers of people living in poverty. We are so grateful to our team, including all staff members who pressed on to minister to others and the 2,756 unique volunteers who donated 37,187 hours.

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MUST

Hope House

What began eight years ago as a MUST Board of Directors’ dream of building a new shelter was finally realized. The MUST Hope House, opening in the spring, was designed to serve the specific needs of the homeless, making MUST one of the first in the country to make such a serious commitment. The MUST team is working hard to make sure the shelter will be debt-free, another miracle for the history books.

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The new shelter, designed by the MUST team, features 43,556 square feet, 136 beds (including 10 family rooms), 36 respite beds for inclement weather and other uses, chapel, dining hall, rooftop family area, children’s playground, satellite clinic, clothes closet and much more.

29% I NDI VI DUALS 27% FE DE RAL GRANTS 26% FOUNDAT I ON GRANTS

sources of

5% OT H E R I NCOM E

INCOME

5% CORP ORAT I ON 4 % RE LI GI OUS

Excluding Gift-in-Kind and Capital Campaign

3% SP E CI AL E VE NTS 2 % M UST M ARKE T P LACE

0 REVENUE

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FY 2020

$8, 94 4 , 561

$3, 965, 965

CO N TR I BU TI ONS/ SP E C I A L E V E N TS

$6, 90 7, 0 4 6

$5, 937,70 6

B U I L D H OPE A HO M E ( CA P I TA L CA M PA IGN)

$6, 383, 654

$1,766, 4 20

G I F T-I N -K I N D

$4 , 0 72, 251

$3,791, 34 7

OTH ER R EV EN UE

$1,138, 0 0 9

$384 , 4 15

TOTAL REVENUE

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FY 2021

FEDER A L /F OU NDAT IO N G RA N TS

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$27,445,521 5% FUNDRAI SI NG

total operating

EXPENSE

$15,845,853

6% ADM I N/ SUP P ORT 89% P ROGRAM SE RVI CE S

EXPENSES F U N D RA I S I N G A D M I N / S UP P O RT PRO G RA M S E RV I C E S

TOTAL EXPENSE

100

FY 2021

FY 2020

$973,125

$1, 0 0 8, 20 3

$980, 4 37

$830,753

$15, 316, 860

$10, 331, 233

$17,270,422

$12,170,189

OARD of directors

Jeremy Abernathy J. Abernathy Law, LLC Mark Abrams Smith & Howard, PC Eric Baker Eric Baker & Associates, Keller Williams First Atlanta The Hon. Roy Barnes The Barnes Law Group, LLC Nancy Blythe Walton Communities Angelo Brown Shepherding Leaders CEO Brian Cartwright PLZ Aeroscience Corporation Jessica Carvalho Veeam Software Chris Coan Natural Gas Executive Jerry Cooper Retired Jay Cunningham Superior Plumbing Services, Inc. Tom DiGregorio AquaGuard Foundations Terry DeWitt First Landmark Bank Ann Harris Cobb Judicial Circuit David Haskett Genuine Parts Company Don Hausfeld The Landon Group, Inc. Mike Hendley Northwestern Mutual Ellen Hill Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s Joyette Holmes GDCR Attorneys at Law Barbara Jarratt New Hope Counseling Center Alan Lee Zep, Inc. Rita Moore Rita K. Moore Pensions Nelson Mumma Cox Automotive Media Group Milton Overton Kennesaw Satate University Ellen Pugh Community Leader Bob Reccord Total Life Impact Ministries Dwight “Ike” Reighard MUST Ministries William Robinson Broadgate Human Capital, LLC. Ray Rodriguez C. W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. Brian Scully Silver Oak Advisors, LLC Drew Shambarger Truist Financial Dan Styf DS Healthcare Strategies Chuck Vice Retired Carol Wisdom Retired Monte Wilson Hospital Executive

For 50 years, MUST has served thousands of your neighbors in need. In an effort to commemorate the strength of that work, MUST launched a new brand and graphic identity to take us into the future. Much thought went into the development of the new graphics, incorporating the symbolism of the ministry, as well as the “MM” for MUST Ministries and the outside units around the cross representing our wrap-around services. A freshened color pallet and font make the new brand a powerful statement for a ministry now touching 45,800 lives annually. Our look may have changed, but our compassion for our community never will.

S MY R N A Client Services

460 Pat Mell Road Smyrna, GA 30080 770.436.9514

CHE ROKE E Client Services

111 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, GA 30114 770.479.5397

D O N AT I O N CE N T E R Sponsored by Northside Hospital

1280 Field Parkway Marietta, GA 30066 678-581-8090

M UST Hope House

1297 Bells Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30066 770.497.9862

M ARI E T TA Client Services & Administration

1407 Cobb Parkway N. Marietta, GA 30062 770.497.9862 (Main Number)

WWW.MUSTMINISTRIES.ORG MUST Ministries is a faith-based 501(C)3 organization serving people in poverty in eight counties. MUST provides food, housing, workforce development, healthcare clinics, clothing and other significant programs. Most MUST clients are women and children.