PORT ARTHUR — Circumstances can change in a day, like the day Hurricane Ike did its thing in the Golden Triangle.

Or a job can end or an injury can rake up medical bills.

Tara May of Port Arthur lost her job and has two girls to care for. She applied for United Board of Missions help to pay a utility bill, and received it.

“It’s a great feeling knowing somebody’s there to help,” May said about unexpected times of trouble. “You want to pay it on your own, but you can’t.”

Volunteer Wendy Beckom of Port Neches is often found folding donated clothes near the front door, and is a greeter of sorts for the myriad people who walk through the doors on Ninth Avenue in Port Arthur. She sees families and widows, singles and children.

“I didn’t realize that many people needed help,” she said.

Jack Leggett, executive director, said UMB is there to help, and the need has increased since Ike, while the supplies and income have decreased. Several dedicated volunteers and benefactors have moved away after Ike, he said.

Loyd Patterson, the charity’s financial officer, said applications to several programs have increased.

“Since Rita,” he said. We’re still seeing a lot. They’re struggling,” he said, especially noting those on a fixed income.

Some of the United Board of Missions’ projects include:

• Project Care

• Food pantry

• Prescription program

• Clothing vouchers

• Project CARE (Power to CARE)

Through Project Care, UMB assists Port Arthur, Sabine Pass and Taylor’s Landing elderly with utility bills that may be beyond their monthly fixed income, Patterson said. Funds are provided by Entergy Texas and Texas Gas Company through donations from their employees and the public.

He pointed out the $1 donation box on utility bills.

“Our assistance comes from those funds,” he said. “The financial assistance is provided to our local senior citizens that find large increases in a monthly electric or gas bill beyond their means.”

He added that the UMB office is a “comfortable setting in which to assist them.”

“Our trained volunteers interview them and determine each specific need. We also try to find any other unmet needs they may have and offer assistance or referral to other agencies,” he said.

UMB also works with Community Service Block Grant funds, helping low-income residents with emergency financial assistance through funds from the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.

Being able to partner with other agencies allows the United Board of Missions to reach more residents of South and Mid-County and assist in keeping an acceptable standard of living, Patterson said.

He provided examples: A family of four earning less than $26,500 could qualify for assistance with rent or utility assistance; if a family had a death and paid funeral expenses from funds for their rent; if qualified UBM could pay one month’s rent for them that was used to pay the emergency.

A family of three earning less than less than $22,000 could qualify for assistance. Say one of the children has to be hospitalized and the family used the money to pay doctor bills rather than utilities. Now they may have electricity cut off. UMB could pay on their bill so that the electricity could stay on, Patterson explained.



Wish List

An easy way to help United Board of Missions is to donate to or shop at their two stores: The Missions Attic, at 3318 Twin City Highway or The Attic Crossing, 3301 Medical Triangle Drive. Call 963-1163 for information.

“We are not without our needs,” Patterson said. “As our local residents encounter life-changing events and emergency situations, UBM tries to provide the assistance necessary. Fortunately most of our non-financial assistance comes through donations from generous local people. Without them our ability to provide food, clothing, furniture, and household goods would be limited.”

“Currently we are not able to meet the needs for used furniture, bedding and household goods. With natural disasters, fires, and property destruction people need help. We request community support for these needs and personal items like new underwear and socks,” he said.

”At present out local demands are greater than our donations. Please look for opportunities to help your local citizens in need. Please donate,” Patterson said.

ddorion@panews.com