2018 Annual Report

Valley Ministries, Incorporated 2018 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 2018. 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 2018 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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2018: A Year in Review January: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry. ❖ Accounts Closed for 2017.

February: ❖ Celebrated 3rd Anniversary of our ministry.

March: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry. ❖ Received a food donation of 600 canned items from Jamie Adams and Katie Johns’ National Honor Society Food Drive on March 4 th. ❖ Gave out 45 Easter meals on March 28th to people in need.

April: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry. ❖ Received $140.00 donation and food donation from Juniata Valley Bank.

May: ❖ Fannett-Metal School Life Skills Class volunteered at Food Pantry. ❖ Had several youths from the community clean the Food Pantry for community service on May 5th. ❖ Participated in the United States Postal Services’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 12th. Donation was three tons of food items.

June: ❖ Had 15 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution on June 6 th.

July: ❖ Valley Ministries, Inc. was closed in observance of Independence Day. ❖ Had 12 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution on July 11 th. ❖ Received a food donation from Carrick UMC’s vacation Bible School.

August: ❖ Had 15 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution on August 1 st. ❖ Received donations of sweet corn from Ben Gamble and Valley Greens. ❖ Received a donation of items from Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.

September: ❖ Had 12 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution. ❖ Received food donations from Spring Run UMC and Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church.

October: ❖ Had 10 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution. ❖ Received donations of food and money from: Lower Path Valley Presbyterian Church’s Women’s group, Doylesburg UMC, Laurel Grove UMC, and an anonymous donor.

November: ❖ Had 15 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution. ❖ Received a donation of $100.00 from the FM Elementary School Faculty and Staff. ❖ Received a food donation from: Salem Lutheran Church, Laurel Grove UMC Women’s Group, and an anonymous donor. ❖ Gave out 51 Thanksgiving meals to people in need on November 19 th.

December: ❖ Had 12 volunteers from the community serve during food distribution. ❖ Partnered with Carrick UMC to provide 21 Christmas meals for local families in need.

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Valley Ministries, Inc. 2018 Financial Report

Beginning Balance, January 1, 2018

$ 4,021.45

Expenses: Food Purchases

$ 10,660.41

Rent

$ 2,650.00

Utilities

$ 2,689.99

Dues & Subscriptions

$

154.00

Total Expenses:

$ 16,154.40

Deposits: Donations

$ 11,311.50

Closet Thrift Store Revenue

$ 4,133.00

Total Deposits:

Ending Balance, December 31, 2018

$ 15,444.50

$ 3,311.55

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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, 2018, Valley Ministries, Inc. celebrated the third 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 2018, the Closet Thrift Store welcomed 1,028 visitors, and received 461 donations. The Closet Thrift Store made $4,133.00 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 2018. 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 2018. 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 2018, 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 2018: Katie Johns, Jamie Adams, Alyssa Rotz, Ben Gamble; Valley Greens; Linda Diem of DiMel 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 571 families, totaling 1,620 people in 2018.

We were also able to give out Easter Meal packages to 45 families, and Thanksgiving Meal packages to 51 families in 2018. Our Food Pantry also partnered with Carrick United Methodist Church’s Christmas Assistance Program by giving out Christmas Meal packages to 21 families.

Figure 2. in the Appendix shows the variation of our Food Pantry Clientele throughout the previous three 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.

Educational Partnership: Special Education Initiative - Fannett-Metal School District For the 2017-2018 School Year, the Life Skills classes at Fannett-Metal Schools came to our Food Pantry’s food distribution days. They volunteered 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.

Christmas Assistance Program Partnership Valley Ministries, Inc. was honored to partner with Carrick United Methodist Church for their Christmas Assistance Program (formerly known as Sierra’s Toy Box). Our Food Pantry provided 21 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 and 2018.

Figure 2. The Food Pantry distribution of clientele from the year 2016 to 2018.

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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

46,560,520 15,266,840

People with Food Insecurity 41,204,000 12,938,000

Percentage of Food Insecure People 13% 18%

12,805,537

1,600,692

12.5%

529,647

452,690

17%

18,704

16,850

11%

7,055

6,030

17%

1,134

193

17%

497

85

17%

Total Population

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 2016 data compiled by Feeding America. The food insecurity percentage for Senior Citizens was taken from 2016 data compiled by AARP. The number of School Age Children was taken from Pennsylvania’s Food Research & Action Center’s 2017 research database for Fannett-metal School District. The food insecurity percentage used for School Age Children was from 2016 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 2018 439 475

Percentage of the People We Served in 2018 27% 29%

The information in Table 2. was formulated by using the total number of people Valley Ministries, Inc.’s Food Pantry served in 2018, which was 1,620 people. As you can see, School Age Children and Senior Citizens make up 56% of the people we served in 2018.

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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