VALLEY CHURCHES UNITED MISSIONS AGENCY PROFILE

OUR MISSION:  The Valley Churches United Missions is a coalition of
community and church volunteers coming together to perform humanitarian acts by providing direct aid assistance in the form of food and emergency rent and utilities to the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley residents in their time of crisis.

OUR IMPACT:  Our primary community service is decreasing hunger and homelessness and providing hope for the less fortunate in our community.  The emergency food pantry volunteers prepare food bags for 1100 people per month.

OUR PROGRAMS – Client Direct Aid Assistance:
1.)  Emergency Food Pantry, food vouchers, bus passes, gas vouchers distribution.
2.)  Senior Low-income food and voucher distribution
3.)  Crisis rent/mortgage assistance to avoid homelessness
4.)  Crisis utility assistance to avoid shut off
5.)  Crisis medical/dental assistance (limited)
6.)  Education supplies, backpacks for children, camp fees
7.)  Disaster relief, before, during, and after
8.)  Holiday Projects:  Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas food and gifts
9.)  Mission Outreach, sharing with agencies and individuals
10.)  Individual fund raising when a catastrophic illness strikes, 100% direct aid.

OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CLIENT AID

1. Client information and referral
2. USDA monthly food distribution site plus supplements
3. Food for Children monthly food distribution site
4. Abbots Thrift Shop vouchers for clothing & household items.

OUR RESOURCES:  Our support comes from caring, sharing donors near and far.  We receive no government assistance or grants.  We send mail appeals twice a year to generate funds.  Our major fund raising drives are the “Buck For Hunger” and the Valley Christmas Project.  We do not phone solicit or share our donor lists.

OUR ITEM DONATION RESOURCES:  Item donation support comes from our local businesses, schools, service clubs, churches, youth groups and individuals.

OUR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS:  Only 5% is used for the operation of our buildings, vehicles, utilities, insurance and one paid staff member.  We can do all this because we operate with a 99% volunteer staff.