Beech Tree News Network

"We have a homeless problem in Butler County," said Garry McKinney, Director of the Morgantown Mission. In the first two months of 2014, the Mission has helped over 15 people who had no place to live.  "We have had two families in the Hope House and others have been housed at the Green River Lodge," added McKinney.  "I want to get the word out we have a problem."

Around 20 people from the community gathered to discuss the problem and hopefully seek a solution. The Mission has the use of a house in Butler County.  According to McKinney, he only places families with children in the house, which is called Hope House. McKinney shared his vision of a possible shelter or apartments to meet the homeless need.  "What happens next is up to the community," said McKinney. 

McKinney also shared the Mission Year-End Summary of Activities for 2013 with the group.

"We at the Mission would like to thank those who support the ministry here. We are blessed to be supported by the postal employees, various school classes and organizations, many churches, giving individuals, and various community organizations. Many in Butler County would be very negatively affected without this help to keep us supplied with needed resources. Please keep in mind, we are NOT affiliated with government funding. We are 100% funded by churches and the community," said McKinney.
"We would also like to offer you the opportunity to serve. Whether it is working in the thrift store, food pantry, or children’s ministry, we always need quality individuals who understand that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
For more information about the Mission, please call 270-526-2082

Mission Summary for 2013

1) CHILDREN’S MINISTRY:
   50-60 children each Tuesday night. 
    7 classes averaged through the school year.     
    Experiencing a need for teachers both male and female.
    Classes are held from Kindergarten to High School.
2) MEAL MINISTRY:
    Different churches provided and served a nutritious hot meal each Tuesday night. Churches feeding in 2013 were Cool Springs General Baptist, Monticello Baptist, Butler County United Methodist Women, First Baptist, Rockfield Methodist, Richland Baptist, New Harmony, Woodbury Baptist, New Liberty Baptist,  Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Morgantown Community Church and Pleasant Grove Baptist.    
  FOOD PANTRY:
Food Pantry regular hours are Tuesday 9:00AM to 1:00 PM. People who can’t come to regular hours are also serviced. Donations of food came from The U.S Post Office, the Butler Co. School system, Churches, individuals, Community Organizations, and others. We belong to the Feeding America food bank where we buy food at a much reduced price. Food emergencies were handled on an individual basis.
3) THRIFT STORE:
The thrift store provides second hand clothes, furniture, and household items at a very reasonable price. Sales from the thrift store along with donations provide operating expenses for all the ministries the Mission provides. The thrift store is open six days per week and is manned by faithful volunteers and community service workers.
4) PROM DRESS RENTAL:
Formal wear is available for girls and who cannot afford the high costs of purchasing formals and shoes for school activities.
5) TRANSPORTATION:
    The Mission bus runs every Tuesday night when school is in session within the city limits of Morgantown... the Mission vans run to other areas of Butler County. The bus runs to all Government Housing areas in Morgantown each week. It picks up children of school age for the Mission Children’s Program.
6) EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
•    Persons of Hope
•    The Mission funds and account called the Helping Hands account. This account assists people in an emergency situation ranging from rent, utilities, and medicine assistance.
7) COMMUNITY SERVICE:    
•    In 2013 the Mission sponsored blood drives for the Red Cross. The people of Butler County donated 106 units of blood.                                                                         
•    Community service opportunity was provided for young people who were court ordered. Many others volunteered to serve.
People did community service at the Mission from The Bowling Green Technical School, Social Services, Drug Court, the Bowling Green Housing Authority, and the Morgantown Housing Authority.

SUCCESSES OF 2013
1)    There were 847visits to the food pantry, 1604 adults and 963 children for a total 2567 people.
2)    We gave clothing to 276 adults and children during the year.
3)    We gave furniture and household items to 24 families.
4)    The Mission provided a place for 8 people to work in the Reach Higher program.
5)    We helped about 25 people from the Housing Authority, Drug Court and the school system with community service opportunities.
6)    We helped 31 with community service for the continuance of food stamps.
7)    We supported the Family Resource and Youth Service Center by providing $1000 and help for a toy distribution. This year toys were given out to 429 children through the school system.
8)    We supported the Family Resource Butler County and Youth Service Center by providing clothing to children in need.
9)    The Mission donated $5600 to other charitable interests in Butler Co.
10)    The Mission spent $1300 on the children’s ministry.
11)     The Mission gave at least $11,784 over the year, to help the poor and those in emergency situations in 2013. ($50 at a time per individual per year)
12)    The Mission along with the Family Resource Center provided school supplies for 550 children prior to school starting in 2012/13. The mission donated $1000 toward the supplies.
13)    The Morgantown Mission gave away 500 winter coats this year.
14)    The Morgantown Mission also supports other missions by sending our overstock to them; at least 5 large trucks went to Mountain Mission in Eastern Ky.
15)    This year we worked with at least 45 homeless people or families.  38 people/families were lodged at the Green River Lodge.
16)    The Mission provided transitional housing for 7 families in Hope House.
17)    The Mission worked with Andrea’s Mission for Women and Men providing clothing and personal items to the girls and they helped us with different projects.
18)    The Mission awarded a scholarship to college to a local youth.
19)    The Mission worked with the Butler County Jail this year on different projects.
20)    The children from the Mission program were allowed to shop in the thrift store for store credit they were given for attendance.
21)     The Mission helps support the Grace Temple Ministries soup kitchen.
22)     The Mission is participating in Commodity Supplemental Food Program for the elderly. We have over 100 households signed up.
23)    The Mission was blessed this year by being able to move into the new Mission Thrift Store.
24) The Mission would like to thank Beech Tree News/WLBQ 1570 for their very successful fundraising in 2013.  The radio-thon generated $4,740 in 4 hours and the money went toward Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.  This fundraiser, along with other monetary donations from individuals and organizations led to a very successful year.
25)    We provided Thanksgiving or Christmas food baskets to 200 families.
26) The Mission is still involved in a recycling program for items that can’t be used in the store or for Mountain Mission.
27)     Some of  last year numbers for comparison , food pantry visits 672 to 847, Helping hands $11,300 to $11,784, School supplies from 364 to 500 children.