 Hill Country Community Ministries
Help for people in crisis, hope for the future. |
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A Message from the Executive Director | | |
McDonnell Marks Fifth Anniversary at HCCM
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Sherry Sadler McDonnell
Executive Director |
It's hard to believe that five years have come and gone since I arrived at Hill Country Community Ministries. People often ask what brought me here and the answer is simple. It's the principle of going where God wants you to go and doing what He wants you to do with your life. And as I look back over the years, I find I am still inspired by the things that first impressed me about HCCM--the mission of the organization, the dedication of its volunteers, and the the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of families in need.
To be sure, there have been many challenges, but I've had a front row seat to the greatest show on earth! The opportunity to witness on a day-to-day basis the unfailing grace of God and the generosity of a community that gives of its love, its time and its resources to help their neighbors.
What we do here at HCCM isn't glamorous and doesn't receive a lot of fanfare. And that's as it should be. We're here to serve, to demonstrate Christ's love by helping others, and to be good stewards of what God provides us though the generosity of our donors and supporters. I thank God every day for the volunteers who work on the front lines with our clients and those who work behind the scenes to provide other valuable support. Without the faithful service of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors, we could not fulfill our mission in the community.
A frail, elderly gentleman was passing by my office door the other day on his way to the Food Pantry to pick up his food. He stopped momentarily in my doorway and said, "No one could know what this means to us." His voice cracked as he choked back his emotion, and then he said, "I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how much we appreciate this. God bless."
On behalf of this gentleman and the thousands of families Hill Country Community Ministires serves each year, I want to say thank you for all you do to help us make a difference in their lives. Although you may not be able to look into their faces, or see their tears of gratitude, or hear their heartfelt "thank you," you are our partners in this great service to our community. I am reminded each day that we couldn't do it without you and when I count my blessings, I think of you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve with you.
"It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives in Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others."
Ephesians 2:10 |
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| Thanks to You! | |
In March
HCCM Served
438 families
a total of
1,357 individuals
395 families
received food
64 families
received financial
assistance
197 individuals
received clothing
40 children
received new shoes
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Volunteer Hours
660
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Thanks to you! | |
In April
HCCM Served
359 families
a total of
1,143 individuals
332 families
received food
36 families
received financial
assistance
186 individuals
received clothing
32 children
received new shoes
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Volunteer Hours
718
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2010/2011
Board of Directors | |
Connie Walker Sowell
President
Cliff Wells
Treasurer
Board Members
Jan Massa
Robert McElwaine
Cindy Nieland
Marc Wamble
Exectuvie Director Sherry McDonnell |
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Community Partner | |
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More Food Needed for Families in Crisis | | | Making the Most of Limited Resources
During this weak economy, we have found that the most critical need of our clients is food, and we have made some changes in our assistance program to meet this critical need. We have consolidated programs and focused our resources to provide more food for families.
Thanks to a major grant for food from Dell and donations to renovate one of our buildings for year-round food storage, we are increasing our capacity to consistently provide more food for families in crisis and those needing emergency food assistance. Our goal is to put more food on the table and leave more dollars in the family budget for other critical needs.
A HUGE thank you goes to Donn Long, contractor/owner of DMJ Services and long-time HCCM volunteer, who coordinated the renovation project. We are also grateful to Johnny Johnson, owner of JJ Construction, and his son Danny for their hard work. Other contributors to the project included DeRuiter Insulation Services and Connie Walker Sowell, board member and owner of Connie's Car Wash locations and N.E.W. Mini Storage. All we can say is thank you, thank you, thank you!
Food Drives are Critical--We Need Your Help!
Although the grant funds enable us to purchase supplemental food, food drives supply the majority of food for the Food Pantry. You can help by organizing a food drive at your church, business or school, or with your club or in your neighborhood.
As you can see, food drives are great group and family projects!
 
 
(left to right)
1) Families from Bethany United Methodist Church deliver food as part of their "Great Weekend of Service" project; 2) Scouts from North Shore District; 3) Craig and Grant Phiefer with North Shore District Boy Scouts; 4) Debbie Disler and husband, Relay for Life; 5) Laurel Foster, Quest school project; 6) Carla Cay Krull, Lone Star BMW Triumph Motorcycles; 7) Youth from Victory Baptist Church; 8) Heidi Clark, Quest school project.
Schedule a Food Drive Today!
We need to schedule more food drives beginning in June and throughout the summer and early fall. For information on how to organize and schedule a food drive, visit our Web site at www.hccm.org or use this link to contact Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Walker or call 512-259-0360, ext. 205.
Do it today! Thanks! |
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HighPoint Fellowship Faith-in-Action Sunday | | | Volunteers Build Shelves & Make Repairs
Thanks to the volunteers who donated their time and carpentry skills at HCCM during HighPoint Fellowship's annual Faith-in-Action Sunday, we have brand new shelving in another of our storage buildings. We appreciate their hard work and the generosity of HighPoint Fellowship to provide the necessary materials and supplies. Many, many thanks!
Pastor Randy and Karen Fenter, HighPoint Fellowship, stopped by to check on the project. In addition to building new shelving for another of our storage buildings, the project included repairs to our fence, roof and loading dock, and construction of an enclosure for phone and computer equipment. An HCCM volunteer stocks food on the new shelves. |
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Annual Audit Report Available | | |
2010 Annual Audit Report and Form 990
Each year HCCM secures the services of a CPA firm to perform an independent audit of our finances. We want to thank Tabor and Burnett, PC for their diligence to complete the audit by the end of the first quarter this year. The 2010 audit report and Form 990 are available on our Web site for your review. |
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HCCM Closed on Memorial Day | | |
Memorial Day
Monday, May 30
Remember our
fallen heroes.
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Hill Country Community Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a coalition of churches assisted by area businesses, civic organizations, schools and caring individuals that provides food, clothing and other assistance for people in crisis and those living in proverty in southwest Williamson and northwest Travis counties. |
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