Chase Corner Ministries celebrates more than three decades of service

A ministry formed more than three decades ago is still providing for those in need across Rutherford County.

Chase Corner Ministries recently held a 37th anniversary celebration in the thrift store's parking lot. The event included bounce houses, food, music and more.

"While our name is Chase Corner Ministries, we are a whole community ministry," said Ministry Director Cynthia Cooper. "Our name is really just the physical location - our services are for all in the county."

Chase Corner Ministries was first located at the "corner" of US 221-A and Main Street in Henrietta. The ministry operated at this location until 1996 when the members of Chase United Methodist Church voted to close its doors. The congregation requested that the building be given to Chase Corner Ministries.

The location at 1604 Chase High Road is home to not only the ministry offices, but to a thrift store that helps provide funding for ministry services.

"We have food assistance which is provided through three ministries," Cooper explained. "Those are emergency food, USDA provided food and a mobile food truck, which goes across the county."

Churches pay for the truck to come to their locations from Second Harvest, Cooper continued.

"While it may not provide all the food a family needs, we have those who take part say that it helps them to stretch their food a little further."

The ministry also provides clothing assistance, and families with young children may come every six months for seasonal clothing.

Financial and medication assistance is also available, and medication assistance is a service the ministry hopes to expand through recent grant funding from the RHI Legacy Foundation.

"We have a lot of working folks who need temporary help, who have been injured or had to have surgery and just need some financial assistance," Cooper said. "It's very rewarding to help a family get out of financial crisis."

Chase Corner Ministries only has three employees, and volunteers are what really make the ministry run, Cooper said.

"Our store and crisis center could not operate as efficiently as it does without our volunteers," she said. Volunteers can help in a variety of ways from working the cash register or stocking in the thrift store to cleaning and distributing food.

More volunteers are always welcome to help. In 2015, Cooper said, there were 4,013 instances of individuals or families being helped.

Local churches support Chase Corner Ministries, and those who helped with the anniversary celebration are Floyd's Creek, Caroleen United Methodist, Race Path Baptist, Cliffside United Methodist, Harriett Memorial Baptist, Providence United Methodist, Avondale United Methodist, Webb First Baptist, Liberty Baptist, New Life Fellowship Christian Church of God, Forest City Grace Chapel and others.

For more information about services offered by Chase Corner Ministries or for assistance, call 828-247-0096 or visit chasecornerministries.org.