“We had an interesting and productive annual meeting to start Interfaith’s work in 2010,” said president Jeannie Kling. “We want to thank you all – churches, civic organizations, foundations and good-hearted, caring individuals – for your generosity.”

A printed 2010 annual report will be ready for distribution soon, said Kling. At the recent annual meeting, Interfaith adopted a budget exceeding last year’s by almost $15,000.

“With prayer and dedication, we will do our best to meet our program requirements and help our less fortunate neighbors through these tough economic times,” said Kling.

2010 budget

The membership of the Lancaster/Northumberland  Interfaith Service Council unanimously passed its budget for 2010, according to secretary Terence Cooper.

The deliberations centered on income and expected needs considering the current and anticipated economic conditions, explained Cooper.

Since the council operates entirely on contributions from churches, foundations, designated gifts and individuals, the proposed income portion of the budget is an amount prayed and hoped for, he said. The proposed expenditures accordingly are based on the prayed for income.

“If we can get the cooperation of the Northern Neck residents and associated individuals to again meet this budget, we will be able to assist those residents in need,” said Cooper.

The projected budget totals $100,000. Anticipated income includes $40,000 from churches, $20,000 from individuals, $15,000 from designated gifts and $25,000 from foundations.

Estimated expenditures include $3,500 for administration, $2,500 for emergency food, $7,500 for electricity and fuel, $7,500 for emergency housing, $6,500 for needs in Lancaster, $5,000 for school supplies, $6,500 for needs in Northumberland, and $61,000 for concerned citizens.

Cooper reminded the community the adopted budget is considered by the representative membership to be the bare-bones minimum necessary to enable to provide The Lancaster/Northumberland Interfaith Service Council’s portion of services to the needy in the two counties.

Again, this entire budget in reliant on the generosity of the entire Northern Neck  community, he said.

“Please consider our needs and the needs of all other community service organizations,” said Cooper.