Jim Fair
Meals are being prepared to be delivered to recipients on Wednesday afternoon.
Submitted
Members of Greer Leadership Class of XXXIV participated in the $1,000 check presentation to staff at Greer Community Ministries Wednesday morning.
An example was Leadership Greer Class XXXIV presenting to GCM Wednesday the first of five $1,000 checks it will give non-profits. “The first thing I think about is operations,” Simpler said. Simpler said GCM prioritizes clothing and feeding the community.
A typical monthly expense for gas for GCM’s van is $450. Prices at the pump, rising 20 cents in the past month to $3.29 a gallon in Greenville County for unleaded fuel, don’t have any sympathy for non-profit expenses.
Simpler said Meals on Wheels volunteers absorb the transportation costs for delivering the meals. “Ninety percent of our Meals on Wheels clients last month were elderly. The older population, 50-years-old and above, will be 50 percent by 2017,” said Simpler.
Greer’s transient community is growing and it means more resources are needed, Simpler said. “Until recently I didn’t know only three clothing closets remained open. We’re trying to partner with companies that produce underwear and socks – our biggest need,” said Simpler.
Simpler said she welcomes businesses to contribute to a line item expense and welcomes the opportunity to show appreciation to businesses by labeling their contributions as they are distributed throughout the community.
As a guide, Simpler showed the costs for a handful of services:
• $450 provides one month gas for van
• $780 provides one year of meals for one Meals on Wheels recipient.
• $ 975 provides one day of meals for all Meals on Wheels recipients and Senior Dining.
• $1,600 pays one month’s utility bills
• $1,860 buys one month milk supply for Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining
• $4,875 provides one week of meals for all Meals on Wheels recipients and Senior Dining
Want to contribute or know more about Greer Community Ministries visit online or call 864-877-1937 or Meals on Wheels at 864-879-2254.