Paducah Cooperative Ministry

Record Homeless Numbers Creating Need For Extra Donations

Brian — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:29:57 +0000

Homelessness in families with young children is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population nation-wide. The average homeless family is comprised of a young mother and her two young children, most often under the age of 6. In 2008, 30% of the homeless individuals residing in the PCM Homeless Shelter were children. This summer, that percentage climbed to 40%. The stories are heart-wrenching and the numbers are stunning.

PCM staff are responding to this crisis, one child, one family at a time. It feels a little like the Star Fish story… It would be easy to be over-whelmed with the numbers, so we are trying to focus on the family in front of us right now, and doing the very best we can with those individuals.

Greatest Needs at the Shelter:
Pillows
Bath towels and wash cloths
School supplies
Diapers in the larger sizes (5 & 6)
Portable bassinets and playpens
Strollers – especially when built for two!
Umbrellas
Alarm Clocks

The Emergency Food Pantry Program hit record high numbers in terms of assistance this summer. PCM is now averaging food assistance to an average of 475 McCracken County households each month.

Greatest Food Pantry Needs Include:
Cereal
Spaghetti & Spaghetti Sauce
Soup
Instant Potatoes
Pork ‘n Beans & other “Meal-in-a-Can” items
Gallon Zip-Lock Bags

The 9th Annual Fred Paxton Fund Run For Charities!

Brian — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:17:00 +0000

WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 8am
WHERE: Noble Park – Begins at Shelter 10
WHAT: 5K Run / Walk and One Mile Youth Run
FEE: $17 Pre-registration or $25 Race Day (registration begins at 6:00A.M.)
CONTACT: PCM at 442-6795 or Community Foundation of West Kentucky at 442-8622
SPONSORS: UBS and The Community Foundation of West Kentucky

All kinds of awards and prizes! Everybody gets an official Coolmax T-Shirt, $5 to your charity of choice.

Financial donations in support of Paducah Cooperative Ministry received by July 10 are eligible to be matched dollar for dollar and placed in PCM’s Endowment Fund for future needs.

Make plans to come out and walk or run with us on July 18th!

We appreciate your support!

PCM Holds 35th Annual Dinner

Brian — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:25:30 +0000

“The Bear Necessities” was the theme of the Paducah Cooperative Ministry’s 35th Annual Dinner held March 12, at St Thomas More Church. The bear/bare necessities theme was highlighted by a collection of more than 100 stuffed bears in the middle of the room which represented the number of children served by the homeless shelter in the past year.

At each place setting was a personal story of a child who had been served by the shelter. “My name is Ty and I am 11 years old. My mom and I live in a shelter with my other three sisters. Mom is looking for a job, but can’t find one. I wish someone would hire her because we can’t stay here much longer if she doesn’t have a job. I take care of my sisters because I know mom is stressed. I really hope she finds a job.”

Also, each person received a bag containing several items that represented the Bear/Bare Necessities of life. These items included an eraser to remind everyone that we all make mistakes, a gold thread that represents friendship that ties us all together, a toothpick to remind us to “pick out” the good qualities in others, a cartoon to remind us to laugh often, a button which reminds us to “button our lips” rather than say inappropriate things, and a rubber-band to remind us be flexible.

Executive Director Heidi Suhrheinrich spoke on the increase, nationally as well as locally, in the number of single mothers and children who are homeless. The PCM shelter offers many programs to its residents other than shelter. PCM is constantly striving to add more programs which will allow the residents to successfully transition to independent living.

Heidi thanked all the local congregations for their continued support. Please keep Paducah Cooperative Ministry in your prayers and continue to support their efforts. There is always a need for volunteer help. If you can give some time, call 442-6795.

Inter-Faith Community Thanksgiving Service

Brian — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:31:02 +0000

Our annual inter-faith Thanksgiving service will take place on Sunday evening, November 23, 2008 at 6:30pm. The location will be at the beautiful First Presbyterian Church at 7th and Jefferson St. in Paducah.

The service is a wonderful opportunity for people from different faiths to come together in one spirit of celebration and thanksgiving. All are invited to join us!

The 8th Annual Fred Paxton Fund Run For Charities!

Brian — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:46:42 +0000

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 8am
WHERE: Noble Park – Begins at Shelter 10
WHAT: 5K Run / Walk and One Mile Youth Run
FEE: $17 Pre-registration or $25 Race Day (registration begins at 6:00A.M.)
CONTACT: PCM at 442-6795 or Community Foundation of West Kentucky at 442-8622
SPONSORS: UBS and The Community Foundation of West Kentucky

All kinds of awards and prizes! Everybody gets an official Coolmax T-Shirt, $5 to your charity of choice.

Financial donations in support of Paducah Cooperative Ministry received by July 12 are eligible to be matched dollar for dollar and placed in PCM’s Endowment Fund for future needs.

Make plans to come out and walk or run with us on July 19th!
We appreciate your support!

Laundry Detergent Donations Needed

Brian — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:41:53 +0000

All types of laundry detergent and cleaning supplies are welcome and desperately needed at this time.

Here’s a little challenge for you – just for fun! There are several laundry detergent names used in the following short paragraph. How many can you find?

“It had been an ultra great day of sun and surf, but the tide was finally starting to come in. There was nothing to gain by staying at the beach any longer. All would meet later to cheer the new era of friendship developed that day. As John used his wisk broom to remove the xtra-fine snand from his feet, he said, using the vernacular of the day, “What a fab day this has been.”

Score:
0-3 Someone else does your laundry!
4-8 Ever been down the detergent aisle?
8-10 Good Job!
10+ Super Shopper Award!

Faith In Film Series At Maiden Alley Cinema

Brian — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:37:39 +0000

As part of our “Faith In Film” initiative, Maiden Alley Cinema in downtown Paducah will be showing movies to benefit Paducah Cooperative Ministry. Tickets are $3 and all films will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:

March 10: Chocolat – Sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church
April 14: Jurassic Park – Sponsored by First Presbyterian
May 12: Cider House Rules – Sponsored Broadway United Methodist Church and Arcadia UMC
June 9: Whale Rider – Sponsored by United Church of Paducah
July 14: Simon Birch – Sponsored by Fountain Ave. UMC and Northside UMC
August 11: Places in the Heart – Sponsored by First Presbyterian
Sept. 8: Dead Man Walking – Sponsored by United Church of Paducah
October 13: The Fisher King – Sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church

Optional discussions will follow each film. Please pass the word along to family, friends and neighbors of this upcoming adventure in faith discerning through movies!