ECCCM News

Bringing together the resources

of the Christian community to

serve people in need of crisis

assistance, support and education

in response to God’s call.

Hike Out Hunger

Brian Weaver, ECCCM Board Member and

Pastor of Family Life at Concordia Lutheran

Church, has started an initiative called “Hike

Out Hunger” to raise money for ECCCM and

The Corner Table in an effort to alleviate food

insecurity in Catawba County. He will be going

on a 108-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail

from Fontana Dam to Hot Springs, NC. He is working to raise $500

per mile trekked for a total of $50,000. Because ECCCM is able to

purchase one pound of food for around $0.16, this money could

provide 312,500 pounds of food which is the equivalent of 39,000

meals. At that rate, even the smallest donation goes a long way!

To learn more about Brian and Hike Out Hunger, read his blog, or donate to his initiative go to http://www.ecccm.org/hike-out-hunger/.

Ethan Campbell

After hearing a sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 on the importance of using our talents for God, Ethan Campbell of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church decided he wanted to use his musical talents to raise money for the homeless. On December 7 he played a thirty-minute piano recital where he asked all in attendance to make a donation. Ethan collected over $1,300! With this money he purchased Christmas gifts for a family in need and donated the rest to ECCCM. We are so grateful for Ethan’s generous donation! What an incredible young person!

Donor Numbers

Due to space limitations and good stewardship of print costs, we are no

longer including the donor numbers in our newsletter. These numbers

can be accessed on our website under the “Support ECCCM” tab.

Mark Your Calendars….

April 6: Office closed for Easter Monday

May 7:

15th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament

May 9: Annual Letter carriers Postal Food Drive

Fourth Quarter

ECCCM NEWS

ECCCM Church Volunteer Work Schedule: February-July 2015

Your assistance during the time your church is scheduled to work is needed and very much appreciated.

If possible, we need church volunteers in the morning and afternoon hours because of the great demand

for the ECCCM services. When your church is scheduled or if you need to reschedule to another time

please call Guynell at 828-465-1702.

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING DURING YOUR DESIGNATED WEEK.

Church Scheduled Work Week

Above is the 2015 schedule for churches to volunteer at ECCCM. On your church week we hope to see sev-eral members of your congregation each day Monday thru Thursday. Your volunteering is a two-fold benefit for the Ministry and your congregation. The Ministry always needs your help due to the amount of food we distribute and the amount of crisis we give to the community. We could not accomplish this work without you. The members of your congregation will leave with a better understanding of ECCCM and how the Ministry helps our community.

84%

10%

1%2% 1% 2%

Services Provided  to Individuals

Food

Utilities/FuelOilMortgage/RentClothing

38673 4664

406

283 945

941

February 2015

St. Matthews UCC 2, 3, 4, 5

Cornerstone Church 9, 10, 11, 12

Mays Chapel UMC 17, 18, 19

First UMC—Newton 23, 24, 25,

26

March 2015

Bethany UCC 2, 3, 4, 5

New Hope Moravian 9, 10, 11, 12

North Newton Baptist 16, 17, 18, 19

Trinity Baptist 23, 24, 25, 26

Grace Lutheran 30, 31, April 1, 2

April 2015

Trinity UCC 7, 8, 9

Catawba UMC 13, 14, 15, 16

Meadow Ridge Church 20, 21, 22, 23

St. James Lutheran 27, 28, 29, 30

May 2015

St. Martin Lutheran 4, 5, 6, 7

Friendship UMC 11, 12, 13, 14

Rehobeth UMC 18, 19, 20, 21

Bethel Lutheran 26, 27, 28

June 2015

Mountain View UMC 1, 2, 3, 4

Abernethy Memorial UMC 8, 9, 10, 11

Shiloh UMC 15, 16, 17, 18

Catawba Valley Baptist 22, 23, 24, 25

Grace Reformed 29, 30, July 1, 2

July 2015

Wesley Chapel UMC 7, 8, 9

Mt. Zion Lutheran 13, 14, 15, 16

Covenant Christian 20, 21, 22, 23

Pisgah UMC 27, 28, 29, 30

Service # Provided

Catawba Christmas Bureau

ECCCM continues to be a partner agency of the Catawba Christmas Bu-

reau. This year the Catawba Christmas Bureau helped provide Christmas

presents for 1,057 households totaling 4,365 individuals. Our part was to

provide food cards to the shoppers in continuation of our efforts to elimi-

nate food insecurity in our area. Households also received two coats,

clothing for each child, and a frozen hen.

To read stories of how the Catawba Christmas Bureau impacted the cli-ents check out the blog on our website at http://www.ecccm.org/blog/. To see a video of one shopper’s story check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOEvMimueMc&feature=youtu.be. To watch Fox46’s story on the Catawba Christmas Bureau go to http://

goo.gl/eNZhkI.

ECCCM NEWS

ECCCM and Crisis Assistance Coaching Program

Makes A Difference

Client Comments:

“It’s going to help us save a lot of money using them goals. Thanks for

helping us do this. It will help us save a lot more. I really appreciate.”

“Has helped me to achieve goals that I never thought would be possi-

ble and to be able to budget and live a healthier life style.”

“It has helped me understand how and why my money is spent, it has

also helped me to understand things will get better and that there are good people here to help with what ever problems my come. Thank you and God Bless you.”

“Thanks to Rita – I have learned a lot about how to plan meals and

save money on everything. She is a wonderful teacher and I feel blessed to have been in her classes. God bless her and all the won-derful people at ECCCM.”

Church Ambassadors

We understand that changes within the church come with the New Year. If your church has a new Church Ambassador or if your church would like to be involved with the program please contact Becca Bleich at news@ecccm.org.

The Crisis Assistance Coaching Program (CACP) is an endeavor to educate our clients in the area of financial literacy. The program has four main topics; budgeting, setting goals, community resources, and food management. It is a four hour workshop that can be completed in four weekly one-hour sessions or in a one day long session on one Friday or Saturday a month. Many of our clients share their appreciation after they take the workshops. Read a few of their comments from January.

We Need Volunteers

We are in need of volunteers to help fill the need in our community. Volunteer opportunities include working in the food pantry, picking up groceries from local stores, the thrift store, and the office. Volunteering with ECCCM is a great way to make a real difference in your community. We would love for you to join us as we do “Jesus stuff!”

Newspaper Boxes

The Observer News Enterprise is extending an offer for community organizations to show their artistic side by d e c o r a t i n g t h e i r newspaper boxes however they want and we took them up on it. Our Administrative Assistant, Kristal Manning, our Communication Specialist, Becca Bleich, and Becca’s good friend, Ayana Banks, painted the boxes. The boxes represent different aspects about the ministry – our work to alleviate hunger, our dedication to the community, and our Christian foundation. The boxes will be located near the Honey’s H&W Drug, and Geppeto’s. We had such a good time painting them and look forward to seeing them around town!

Already we at ECCCM are well into the first quarter of 2015, noticing how quickly the first two months have passed. This is a busy

season at the ministry, between closing out 2014, engaging in our annual audit, compiling statistical reports, reporting to our

supportive foundations, as well as preparing the many grants that will help fund ECCCM crisis services. It is in the midst of this

“business as usual” time of year that we have welcomed our 2015 Board of Directors with six new members (to fill the seats of the

six members who rotated off the Board in 2014) at our annual strategic planning retreat. Those members are Steve Cloninger,

David Isenhower, Donna Sharman, Jim Smith, Ann Sperry, and Leslie Yount. We are grateful to First Presbyterian Church in

Newton for hosting our retreat with the generous use of their space for a meeting area.

Never standing still, but always looking to better serve our community, we at ECCCM are examining each of our programs to

determine what adjustments – if any – are necessary for efficient operations, good stewardship of donations entrusted to us by you

our donors, along with the efficacy of our programming. During 2015 every aspect of our operations will receive discerning

scrutiny.

Already, we have identified an opportunity for adjustment within our hunger programs. In close collaboration with Newton-

Conover City Schools, ECCCM is providing food assistance to at risk families of school students. A streamlined application process

ensures assistance goes to the needy, with a systemic solution that provides substantial commodities to these families on a twelve-

month cycle that coincides with the school year. Through this initiative, food insecurity issues are abated via a systemic solution

that ensures students receive proper nutrition as they complete their studies. More information can be found at http://

www.ecccm.org/hunger-prevention-program-for-nccs/.

Through a caseworker’s (Becca) involvement with a homeless client, we discovered that it was difficult for such persons to receive

their monthly commodity at one time due to their situations. Through brain-storming and developmental tweaking, adjustments

were made to the program that allows multiple smaller pick ups of commodities to better serve homeless clients that are already

struggling.

These are two salient examples of your ministry at ECCCM refusing to become complacent in how we serve our community in

need. I’m confident that as this year progresses more opportunities for critical thinking will yield to progressive adjustments that

better serve everyone.

As you continue to support the good work at ECCCM, take comfort in the dividends from your support, paid back to the

community of which we are a part.

~ Bob

A Note from the Executive Director

ECCCM NEWS 4

Our Deepest Condolences

Over the Christmas season, ECCCM lost three precious members of our volunteer family: Larry Herbert, Troy Cansler, and Jack Spake. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families. They are all dearly missed.

Partnership in Ministry Program

ECCCM has developed an easy way for you to support our ministry in Catawba County as we help those in crisis. Applicants request assis-

tance with the basic daily needs of emergency food, clothing, utility bill payments, mortgage and rent assistance, life-necessary pharmaceuti-

cal’s, and fuel oil or kerosene purchases.

Each applicant undergoes a personal interview to determine their financial condition and a verifiable demonstration of need through support-

ing documents.

Through your generous support to ECCCM, you can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need on a daily basis. How? A tax-

deductible gift of $1000 will provide the equivalent of mortgage and rent assistance to four families, eliminating foreclosure or eviction. A gift

of $500 will provide the equivalent of utility assistance to four families, maintaining electric service we all rely on.

By making a commitment now to ECCCM through a regular credit card installment or bank draft we can plan our budget more efficiently and

take the burden of check writing from you. Simply fill out the form below, attach a voided check and we will take care of the rest. You will

receive a follow up letter confirming your donation, which is tax deductible.

Thank your for your Partnership in Ministry as together we give others a hand up

As always, you can depend on ECCCM to be good stewards of your donation!

ECCCM NEWS

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ( home) ___________ - _______ - _________ (cell) _______-_______-_____

Email Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amount per month: $20.00___ $50.00___ $100.00___ Other $______________

Draft on the � 1st of each month – or – �15th of each month (please check one)

I agree to a monthly draft to ECCCM in the amount shown above. I understand I can stop this draft at any time by calling ECCCM. Attached is my

voided check.

Signed: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We Make Donating Easy!

Yes! You want to support ECCCM, your ministry of choice! We’ve made it easy!

For tangible donations we accept clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares, books, toys, and furniture, even if the items are in unusable

condition. You can literally support the ministry by getting rid of stuff you don’t want! To make it even easier, we will drop off a

ministry van at your church or organization to be filled by you and picked up by us on a designated date. We’ll do all the hard work!

Financial donations can be made online at http://www.ecccm.org/donate with the option of automatic draft for the amount of your

choice. Automatic drafts can be stopped at any time.

We have recently launched two new avenues for you to support ECCCM: One Today and Amazon Smile. Download the One Today

app or go to http://goo.gl/D9n74e to donate to ECCCM. When online shopping go to https://

smile.amazon.com/ and select Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. as your charity of

choice and we will receive a percentage of your purchase as a donation from Amazon.

You can also support ECCCM through Thrivent Choice Dollars. As a qualifying Thrivent Member you

can select ECCCM as the ministry of your choice to receive your choice dollars. All you have to do is go

to https://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

We accept donations during operating hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

ECCCM NEWS

Introducing Our New Truck Driver!

Jimmy Yount joined our team as the Truck Driver at the very end of September. He originally came to us two years ago as a volunteer picking up groceries every Monday. When the position came open he was recom-mended by our previous truck driver and has been a perfect fit. Jimmy says he really enjoys working at ECCCM because he loves helping people.

United Way

Find Us Online!

Our social media presence continues to grow. You can find us on Facebok, Twitter, and Instagram to be kept in the loop about the

ministry. Like Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. on Facebook and follow @ECCCM1 on Twitter and @ECCCM

on Instagram. We send out a bi-monthly e-newsletter that contains quick updates about the ministry. You can sign up for that online.

We also have a new ministry media gallery on our website. Check it out at http://www.ecccm.org/media-gallery.

If you have any questions about our online presence contact Becca Bleich, the Communication Specialist, at news@ecccm.org.

Fall Gala

The Second Annual ECCCM Fall Gala took place on November 15 at the Catawba Country Club. It truly was “An Evening of Elegance” with a delicious catered meal, beautiful silent auction items, and a lively dance floor. We greatly appreciate everyone who attended!

ECCCM is grateful for the support provided by Catawba County United Way in 2014. As statistics are compiled into end-of-year

reports, we again see the community impact being achieved in eastern Catawba County due to United Way funding. Two facts jump

out that denote the success of United Way’s investment in ECCCM and our community: First, in 2014 over 5,400 individuals

received emergency financial crisis assistance with mortgage and rent payments, utility bill assistance, heating oil, and life-necessary

pharmaceuticals. These represent families who were helped with basic life necessities during a crisis event in their lives. Second, and

this is exciting news, 450 households moved from receiving financial crisis assistance to self-reliance as they began to save money

each month. This is due to their successful completion of the Crisis Assistance Coaching Program where the basics of budgeting,

fiscal management, debt reduction, menu creation and shopping tips are taught. In addition, personal goal setting and job search help

give persons a hand up. Clearly Catawba County United Way funding has made a tremendous impact in our community. Thank you

for supporting the United Way and ECCCM.

Non-Profit

Organization

US Postage

PAID

Newton, NC

Permit #186

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF:

Officers: Robert (BJ( Mullinax, President; Brian Weaver, President Elect; Sherelle Abernathy, Secretary; Jody Street, Treasurer; Clifford Martin, Past President.

Filling out the Board: Joy Cine, Lynn Matthews, Jimmy Newsome, Mike Rutledge, Anne Stedman, Sylvia Bajorel, David Carpenter, Russell Early, Steve Cloninger, David Isenhower, Donna Sharman, Jim Smith, Ann Sperry, and Leslie Yount

Staff: Guynell Sears, Kristal Manning, Becky Barlow, Glenda Burgess, Dee Dee Hovis, Becca Bleich, JoAnn Sherrill, Rita Purvis, Kelli Kaylor, Shirley Robinson, Christine Lowman, Jimmy Yount, and Rev. Robert Silber

We make every effort to record and list all gifts accurately. Please let us know if you find an error. Thank you.

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989.

The license is not an endorsement by the State. ECCCM’s 990 may be viewed on our website.

CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION: WWW.ECCCM.ORG

Physical Address: 245 East “N” Street, Newton Mailing Address: P.O. Box 31, Newton, NC 28658

Phone: 828-465-1702 Fax: 828-465-1708

Email: ecccm@ecccm.org

Crisis Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thrift Store Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

P.O. Box 31 245 East N Street Newton, NC 28658