Morgan-Scott Project

MSP News Editor Ray Boles

We don’t usually like to keep track of good deeds, but when I read Executive Director Ella Smith’s January Newsletter which reviewed activities for 2009, I was staggered by the number of people helped by Morgan-Scott Project.  I write about them here so that our supporters will know how much their gifts are accomplishing and how much they are appreciated.  Here are some of the numbers:

Emergency aid in the form of help with utility bills, rent, medical co-pay, and medication were provided for 1,236 individuals in 409 families.  A total of 614 food boxes were provided to feed 1,663 individuals.  The MSP-sponsored Scott County Homeless Shelter provided food and shelter to 30 men, 35 women and 35 children for a total of 1,965 bed stays.  Fifteen workgroups totaling 193 volunteers built 12 wheelchair ramps while upgrading 15 homes.  Backpacks were provided for 27 children.  A total of 59 adults were assisted in job training at the Tennessee Technology Center.  Three high school seniors received $500 scholarships to attend Roane State Community College.  The Good Earth Program provided seeds, plants, and fertilizer to 384 families for their home gardens. Thanks to the combined efforts of MSP, The Unicorn Fund, and the Salvation Army, 2,832 children in 858 families received Christmas gifts. 

It is impossible to know the exact number, but we estimate that at least 7,500 people in Morgan and Scott counties were assisted in 2009.  This is approximately 18% of the combined population of these two counties.  That there are these many people in need of help should not be surprising given the December 2009 statistics which show 12.3 % unemployment in Morgan County and 18.8% in Scott County.  This compares to 10.0% in the U.S. and 10.9% in Tennessee.  By contrast, the more urban Knox and Hamilton counties had unemployment rates of 8.1 and 8.9%, respectively. Times are tough all over, but they are especially tough in rural America.

This was accomplished on MSP expenditures of $175,000, but of course this does not count the many gifts in kind of toys, clothing, and labor.  Ultimately it was accomplished thanks to the many churches and individuals who contributed their time, money, and energy to help the people of Morgan and Scott Counties.  It was much needed and very much appreciated.

Article by Ray Boles

MSP Treasurer Tamia Bible

The Morgan Scott Project is very pleased to report that only 23 cents of every dollar contributed went to overhead during 2009, leaving 77 cents available for our charitable programs.  Overhead represents the cost of operating the organization and it has been our goal to reduce all operating expenses in order to increase the amount that we are able to spend on our programs, such as emergency aid, home repair, educational assistance, and others.  Since the end of 2007, 14 more cents of every dollar contributed is going directly to programs.  At that time, 37 cents of every dollar had to be spent on overhead as compared to 23 cents this year. 

The Project completed 2009 with total receipts of approximately $180,000 and total expenditures (both programs and overhead) of about $175,000 for a slight surplus of approximately $5,000.  We were concerned at the end of the third quarter because receipts had not kept pace with expenditures at that point, but due to the generosity of our many contributors, we were able to make up that deficit. 

Our largest charitable program in terms of expenditures is Emergency Aid.  We spent approximately $48,000 in 2009 to assist residents of Morgan and Scott Counties in Tennessee with rent, utilities, and other emergency needs.  Almost $16,000 was spent on home repairs for individuals, such as wheel chair ramps, new roofs, and other repairs.  $13,000 went to our New Light educational program, which assists individuals with education that will enable them to support themselves and their families.  We also spent about $5,000 each on providing food boxes to those in need as well as on our Good Earth program, which provides seeds and seedlings for a home garden.  These are just some of the programs that your contributions support.

2010 has started off with a major layoff in one of the largest employers in Scott County.  This will probably force Scott County’s unemployment percentage, already the second highest in the state at 18.8%, even higher.  Your contributions in the upcoming year, be they money, time, or items for our thrift store, will help make a difference.  Thank you to all. 

Article by Tamia Bible

A Good Earth Home Garden

Janet lives in Sunbright, Tennessee,  and has been a gardener for many years.  She has been acquainted with a variety of Morgan-Scott Projects.  As a matter of fact, she is a regular customer at the thrift store and has family members who help sort stock.  Still, this is the first year she has received seeds from the MSP Good Earth Program.  Due to the success of her garden last summer, it will likely not be the last time her family will enjoy being part of the spring seed distribution program.

Janet and her husband both tended this very fruitful garden.   “It was wet this summer, which was great for the vegetables,” said Janet.   “Two rows of bush beans yielded 25 gallons.”  What an amazing result!  We also talked about fertilizer, which was obtained from a local plant which also had some tomatoes for the families.

This fall and winter the family is enjoying potatoes, corn, okra, green peppers and beans thanks to their diligent work and help from MSP.  The site of the families’ canning efforts is their garage.  Her daughters help by bringing their supplies, so they get the job done in half the time.  The oldest daughter brings her pressure cooker.  “I have had some bad experiences with that method”, said Janet, ”so I continue to use the cold bath method.”

Prayer is a vital component to the success of gardening for the Brock family. Janet tells us that she was ready to serve her roast chicken when she went out in the garden to round out her dinner with fruits of the harvest.  Shovel in hand, she prayed to find some potatoes and did.  Next she said, “Lord I need an onion,” and found one.  Thus it went until she had enough to serve her family a lovely dinner.  The Lord does answer prayers.

Last year Morgan-Scott distributed seeds, plants and fertilizer for home gardens to 384 families.  The Good Earth seed distribution is planned for April 10^th this year.  If you would like to donate vegetable seeds they are needed by April 5.  If you would like to donate money to buy seeds, plants or fertilizer, you can do so anytime by sending your contributions to Morgan-Scott Project, PO Box 8, Deer Lodge, TN 37726.  If you have questions call us at (423)965-3131.

Article by Sonja DuBois