The Well -Wilkinsburg Community Ministry
Newsletter
Spring 2008 edition. Read
the latest newsletter in pdf
format
“For everything there
is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
EXCITING PLANS IN THE WCM BUDGET FOR 2008
In the winter issue of The Well, we outlined our goals for the New Year. Most important on our “wish list” was the hope that we would be able to raise the necessary funds to provide for the costs of leasing additional space at 704 Wood Street. The plan is to revive our furniture and clothing assistance programs, as well expanding our food pantry back to its original size in order to help as many people as possible.
Thanks to initial generous contributions, we have been able to set a 2008 budget of $239,000 that supports these programs planned for the New Year. Some of our income comes from modest client fees such as Meals on Wheel fees for those that do not qualify for Allegheny County Agency on Aging assistance and some from government or corporations as reimbursement for programs such as Children’s Food, Meals on Wheels and $Energy. Most programs do not generate enough income to fully cover the program’s costs and so we depend on participating churches, individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations to keep the programs operating. These contributors support about $100,000 of the $239,000 annual expenses. WCM’s annual contributions are typically received as shown below:
Churches and Denominations: $65,000
Individual gifts: $20,000
Foundation: $2,000
Business & Organizations: $ 5,000
Fundraising: $ 5,000
Meals on Wheels Gifts: $ 3,000
In November of each year WCM’s Board authorizes an Annual Appeal Fund Drive asking our supporters for a donation to help with the $100,000 needed to keep the WCM programs operating. Although we do request donations in each issue of The Well, the Annual Appeal is generally the only time each year that we mail a specific request for donations. This year the Annual Appeal has generated $45,000 toward our goal, which is a good start! $33,244 of that came from churches, businesses and foundations while the remaining $11,755 came from individual gifts. We are grateful to the many generous individuals, churches, foundation, businesses and organizations for your continued support.
Fundraising is a year-long effort and it takes time from the WCM staff and Board to be successful. We need not only dollar support, but volunteer support. If you are willing to help with fundraising or other programs at WCM, please contact Robyn Aguzzi, Executive Director at 412-241-8072 or email her at robyna@wcm15221.org.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
I could not think of a more appropriate theme for this newsletter than God’s Faithfulness as I reflect back on my first 9 months with Wilkinsburg Community Ministry. Life is certainly a journey and I am learning that, the longer I work and serve in this wonderful community. I would never be able to predict where the Lord would lead, but I am grateful and blessed that He brought me to this place; to lead, serve and follow Him.
WCM is a true testament to God as Jehovah Jireh (God as provider). His provision and blessings are abundant, as he has carried WCM through these months of transition into our new space on Wood Street. Not only was the move unexpected, but it was also symbolic to what He is doing in our organization and in the community. We have started anew and with new beginnings came new trials. How long will it take to get our new phone system and technology up and running? How can we run the After School Food program without the staff to manage it? How will be able to afford the move and still pay for all the expenses that come with it? And even a more daunting question, how can all of this be done with part-time staff?! So many unknowns at the time, but God is faithful in not letting what He has brought together, fall apart. It is hard to believe all He has accomplished through this ministry in 7 short months, since our move in August. He has provided a strong and competent, compassionate staff for all of our programs, He has brought new volunteers to serve along side our ministries, He has provided for the ministry financially and has strengthened & renewed WCM’s relationships with local congregations and community organizations AND He has blessed us, through all of your support, with the ability to expand our ministries and space!
I am excited to report that through our annual campaign, we have raised enough money to rent the office space next door at 704 Wood Street, in order to expand our ministry to better serve those in the Wilkinsburg community. A special “THANK YOU’ is needed to all of you who have come along side of us, with belief in our ministry and mission, that propelled you to give so generously to this organization. It is through your giving and belief in our mission that this expansion has been made possible. Be confident in knowing that what you give, whether it be your time, talent or treasure, makes a big difference and changes can be made because of YOU! Through Christ, you empower us to grow, change and strengthen the ministries that were developed to help those who need it most. As you continue reading through our newsletter, keep in mind that God is alive, working and using the programs at WCM to reach the poorest of the poor. Our newsletter is a testimony to His faithfulness. Bless you in all you do, in your lives, ministries, work and families.
Robyn
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!
• Please take a look at our new and updated website! Thanks to Jami Broom, our volunteer web designer, we have a site that is modern, descriptive and user-friendly. You can also donate to WCM through our website using the secure services of Donate Now. Our website is www.wcm15221.org.
• Our Angel Food program is still up and running. You can find the most recent menu on WCM’s website and later in this issue. Angel food boxes consist of both fresh and frozen food items. You will receive $60 worth of food for $30. Everyone is welcome to place orders. Orders can be made with Ray Tolbert 412-241-8072 or rayt@wcm15221.org.
• We welcome our newest staff member, Sharon Walker, who is the After School Food Program coordinator- cooking meals, making menus and keeping our kids fed with delicious and nutritious meals! Welcome Sharon, we are blessed to have you on board.
• A special ‘Thanks’ to the Pittsburgh Presbytery for increasing our annual grant amount to $20,000. We are blessed to have their ongoing monthly support.
Tom Ochs, Financial Secretary
SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS HELP MEET ON-GOING LOCAL NEEDS
Sometime in Mid-January, when the weather was at its coldest, WCM had a special family enter our doors, with a need for emergency food assistance. This 37 year-old single mother of 4 (3 boys and 1 girl, ages 17, 14, 10 & 7) moved to Edgewood during a very trying time in her life. She had recently left an abusive marriage and now faced trials that new and unexpected life changes bring about. She was in the midst of re-rooting her family into their new home and with little to no money or food to provide for her family during this transition, she heard about WCM and our emergency food pantry. She came to us with no referral to our ministry, but with a burden greater than she could bear at that time in her life. Because we recently added Edgewood to our area of service and because her circumstances were beyond extenuating, we were blessed to be able to provide for her family, as we were able. As a result, she was provided enough food to feed her family during an emotional and unsettling time in her and her family’s life. Our ability to provide food to families like this one eases their burdens, even for a small time, so they are able to focus on resolving other, more pressing issues their families face.
Hunger and Urban Survival Program report:
—WCM was able to provide 17 families and 40 individuals with our emergency food pantry service between the months of December-February 2008.
—Angel Food distribution is low nationwide. We received 81 orders between December-February 2008. Please remember to spread the word about this program to families who could benefit from it. They will receive $60 worth of food for $30. Food stamps are accepted. The April menu is included in this issue. For the latest monthly menu, call the WCM office at 412-241-8072 or look online at www.wcm15221.org.
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Holiday Food Distribution!
WCM provided 100 families with our holiday Christmas Food bag distribution and 98 families with our Thanksgiving Food bags! Many thanks go out to our amazing volunteers and donors who helped make this happen for the community. Your service and heart are what make what we do so successful.
MEALS ON WHEELS: A GIFT OF GIVING
Meals on Wheels is a crucial program for our seniors who are homebound and/or recovering from an illness, injury or surgery. We provide them more than daily food; we provide peace of mind. Our daily contact with each person in our program allows them to be confident in knowing that someone will be by each and every day, to check in and make sure everything is ok. As our Meals on Wheels mission states, we are there to ‘enhance the quality of life through nutritious meals and personal contact with the goal of improved social, physical and nutritional betterment of vulnerable older Americans’.
Our volunteers have the heart of giving and compassion. The seniors in our program look forward to seeing their smiling faces each and every day. We continually receive ‘thank you’ letters from them telling us how grateful they are and how much the meals are such a big help to them. It fills ones heart with warmth when you are able to bring a meal to someone’s home and they are alone or in a wheel chair or have other needs. The priceless look you get in return is one of appreciation and gratitude.
November 2007 1,533 meals were delivered.
December 2007 1,403 meals were delivered.
January 2008 1,431 meals were delivered.
FIVE FABULOUS FUND-RAISING EFFORTS!!
Since October 2007, WCM has obtained over $15,000 from five different sources:
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October: Almost $2,200 will be WCM's share of the Church World Service Pittsburgh East CROP Hunger Walk. This represents 15% of the over $14,000 raised to fight world hunger.
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November: Our annual letter campaign sent to the friends of WCM has thus far netted almost twelve thousand dollars. We are truly indebted to this continuing and reliable source of income.
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December: Volunteers sold nearly $400 worth of luminary kits to brighten the sidewalks in their neighborhoods during the Christmas season, with proceeds going to WCM.
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December: WCM is grateful to Saint Mark AME Church for hosting our twenty-ninth annual "Wilkinsburg Sings at Christmas" concert that featured selections from the choirs of nine different churches, carols by the audience, and a rousing rendition by the combined choirs of Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" led by Ted Yearsley. The offering of $649 was donated to WCM.
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January 2008: WCM sincerely thanks the Wilkinsburg Ministerial Society for donating the offering of $390 from the inspiring Martin Luther King, Jr. Service at South Avenue United Methodist Church.
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MLK Day Celebration The Worship Service at South Avenue United Methodist Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was inspiring as well as uplifting. We were blessed to hear readings of several of Dr. King's remarks by members of the Wilkinsburg Ministerium, a solo by Dean Patterson, the anthem by the volunteer choir directed by Mrs. Janet Stivanson. Everyone participated in a closing & powerful prayer circle around the sanctuary. The offering was donated to WCM's Food Program.
Stay tuned for our "Spring Sing"
2nd United Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg Sunday May 18th 4:00 PM.
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED
NOW MORE THAN EVER
Please consider making a new or
additional contribution to WCM at this time. Please
send your tax-deductible contribution to WCM,
708 Wood St., Pittsburgh, PA 15221. WCM also participates
in the Contributor Choice program of the United
Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. To designate
WCM at work, simply fill in part D-1 of your pledge
form. Our agency code is 242. Please
see our donate page for more information.
Read past editions of "The
Well"
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