Speaking to the McComb Lions Club Tuesday, McComb Interdenominational Care Association president Gail McGowan said her organization provides a much-needed helping hand to those in dire straits.
MICA’s services include a food pantry and an emergency women’s shelter.
“MICA is an organization supported by 36 area churches as well as our community,” McGowan said. “It is here to provide temporary and emergency assistance. I use the term temporary rather loosely because we see some people every month.”
The pantry receives food once a month from the Mississippi Food Network. Local churches also donate to the program and host food drives. Each food box contains peanut butter, pork and beans, flour, tuna fish, cereals, toilet tissue, soap, soup and other items.
During the Lenten season, the Episcopal Church of the Mediator-Redeemer will collect food from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at McComb Market.
“We get a lot of donations from Walmart. McComb Market gives us food two or three times a week like Walmart,” McGowan said.
MICA’s pantry is located at 126 N. Fifth St. across from McKinley Cleaners. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
McGowan said approximately 24 people work with MICA. Secretary Regina Sinclair is the only paid employee. She approves the pantry’s clients for food boxes. She has been with MICA for six years.
“Most of our employees are volunteer,” McGowan said. “We have three or four ladies who come in once per week to box up the food. Our volunteers are the best. They provide an invaluable service.”
Jerry Calhoun is pantry director. He oversees volunteers and purchases food items that are not donated.
“Donations of food and money come from church members and individuals in our community,” McGowan said. “We also get donations from children. It’s fun to watch small children donate because their eyes get so big when they see the big cereal boxes in the pantry.”
MICA’s biggest annual fundraiser is “Christmas in July.”
McGowan recited statistics that reflected just how large the need is in Pike County.
“Last year we served 2,763 families and 4,932 individuals,” McGowan said. “In December we served 263 families and 445 individuals. We served 101 families last week. In 1994, we served helped 95 families and 254 families. Unfortunately, the numbers seems to be growing every month while the donations are getting smaller.”
McGowan said no donation is too small.
“Monetary donations start as low as $25 per month. We need every donation,” she said.
Concerning the women’s shelter, which opened in 1990, McGowan said homeless women and children are free to stay for up to 30 days. Boys over 12 years of age are not allowed. The home is big enough to house three families. April Otero is shelter director.
“We’re hoping they can get a job or a place to live within (the 30 days) time,” McGowan said. “What we’re trying to do is help them better themselves. We’ve had some successes.”
To contact MICA or donate, call 684-1969.
