<< More Than Food How Is It Happening? Jerry’s vision includes self sufficiency for the MASH Unit, which now requires from $50,000 to $75,000 every month just to maintain. Today, most of its overhead is paid by revenue from three ARK thrift stores and one construction supply store that sells donated home products at thrift store prices, including: returned, scratch and dent appliances; building materials; and slightly damaged new and gently used furniture. In addition to donations, the Unit sometimes purchases inventory close-outs for pennies on the dollar then resells them in the stores. Still, the MASH Unit falls as much as $20,000 short every month, a shortfall that is made up any way possible, including selling recycled cardboard and conducting a community consignment auction similar to e-Bay. In 2008, Jerry attended a Compassionate Ministry Summit Conference in Southern California for ministries from across the country. The MASH Unit, serving a mix of African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians, was one of the few multi-cultural organizations there. With a record of serving 6,000 – 10,000 people per month, it was also the largest ministry in attendance. Asked how the ministry supports itself, Jerry astonished fellow attendees when he explained, “We work for it!” He steadfastly refuses to accept any Federal, state or local grant money. His was the only ministry at the conference that could make such a claim. “We ask people to come off government assistance,” he explained. “How can we as an organization do otherwise when we ask the people who come to us to make such a sacrifice? Charities need to learn to be self-supporting. We’re leading the way to that.” How Can It Continue to Happen? The Needs Grow Daily “The more needs you meet,” said Jerry, “the more there are. We give food to other small organizations and food banks but our needs have also grown to include more than food. It seems there is never enough to do everything we want to do and we take nothing from the church.” Some organizations might share funds with the church, but the MASH Unit does not. Financially it is completely separate. Money given to feed the hungry is used for that purpose alone, never to pay for any church expense. The Unit's Most Pressing Needs Include: • Semi trucks and trailers to transport food. As Jerry commented, “Our fleet is barely roadworthy. The five refrigerated units break down constantly and we are always patching one piece of equipment or another.” • A new tandem axle tractor/trailer able to make frequent trips to Yuma, Nogales or around the state to collect donated food or other products. • “A 48- to 53-foot refrigerated trailer with a hydraulic tail gate would be so nice,” said Jerry. “When we drop food at offsite locations now, we have to unload by hand.” • Forklifts. Only two of the Unit’s six are in working order. The others provide parts to keep them operable. • A refrigerated straight truck with a hydraulic tailgate. To continue providing necessities to the poor, the Unit also needs: • A source for diapers, baby food and formula. • Personal hygiene products, everything from toilet paper and toothpaste to sanitary pads and tampons. • Clothing and shoes – the Unit distributes 1,500 to 2,000 bags of clothing every month. An Optimistic Future — Going Where No One Else Goes >>