Urgent Needs

Bath Towels

We urgently need two multi-passenger vans (cargo and passenger) for the Men’s Recovery Center. When the men travel to churches for services, to recovery meetings, to volunteer events (such as Habitat for Humanity), and to work off site, we do not have enough transportation to shuttle these men to and fro. We need two large capacity passenger vans to be able to transport all of the men at the same time. To donate one or both of these vans, please contact Justin Mendez at 501-370-0808 ext 102 or email him at justin@urmission.org to see how you can donate a van.

The following needs are so that we can improve our living conditions and become more neighborly:

Metal Detection Equipment (Walk through or wand)

2 HVAC window units

100 gal. of exterior paint

Commercial Washer and Dryer

Commercial Dishwasher is needed at the lodge and MRC.  Dishes are washed daily to and the dishwasher needs to be replaced. To donate a dishwasher, please contact Justin Mendez at 501-370-0808 ext 102.  We are available to pick up dishwashers.

Electric clothes dryers are needed at the lodge and MRC. Linens are washed daily, and previously donated dryers are no longer functioning. To donate a dryer, please contact Justin Mendez at 501-370-0808 ext 102. We are available to pick up dryers.

The lodge also needs meat and main-dish items to fill their freezers. During a thorough cleaning and sorting, we realized that we were low on meat and main dishes. Anything would be helpful. Please contact Justin at 501-370-0808 ext 102 to make your donation or to schedule a pick up.

We are seeking four push lawnmowers and a couple of weed eaters/trimmers for the Spring and Summer mowing seasons. Please contact Justin Mendez at 501-370-0808 ext 102 or email him at justin@urmission.org to make your in-kind donations.

Bleach and Laundry Soap Drive

We are asking for churches and other organizations to volunteer to conduct a bleach and/or laundry soap drive for the men’s rehab center. It is of the utmost importance for us to disinfect all areas and linens. Therefore, we use bleach and laundry soap more than any other cleaning supplies. If you are willing to conduct a drive, then please contact Justin Mendez at 501-370-0808 ext 102 or email him at justin@urmission.org.

Day-To-Day Needs

The day-to-day needs for the Nehemiah House are basic. We currently need the following:

• BLEACH
• LAUNDRY DETERGENT
• Men’s Deodorant
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• bath towels
• soap and shampoo
• tooth brushes
• tooth paste
• Pine Sol
• combs and brushes
• Socks and Underwear
• Shaving Cream
• Laundry Detergent
• Liquid Dish Soap ( not for dishwasher)
• Shaving Cream
• Pillows and Pillowcases
• 30 gallon and 13 gallon trash bags
• Spiral Notebooks and Pens
• Bibles (NLT)

Urgent Needs

Trash Bags are urgently needed! The jumbo, 55 gallon bags are needed, but we will accept any size trash bags at this point. Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022 to donate bags.

Diapers, size 4 or 5, are desperately needed at the Dorcas House. Your answer to this need would be greatly appreciated!

Baby Monitors are urgently needed! Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022 to donate bags.

Exercise Instructors: We are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to teach Exercise classes at the Dorcas House.  If you are interested in doing this, please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022 for more information.

Knitting Supplies are urgently needed!  Parkway Place Baptist Church is giving the ladies at the Dorcas House a Knitting Class.  They are asking for donations of knitting needles of all kinds, crochet hooks, and yarn needles. Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022.

Food Donations (main dishes and meats) Our food supply is low and needs to be replenished.  Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022.

Bath Towels and Laundry Detergent are urgently needed! Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022 to make an in-kind donation.

Paper Towels are urgently needed! Please contact Michelle Carney at 501-374-4022 to donate paper towels.

Day-To-Day Needs

The day-to-day needs for the Dorcas House are basic. They need what you need in your home. These items are always needed.

• PAPER TOWELS
• LANDRY DETERGENT
• BATH TOWELS
• furniture polish
• bathroom cleaner
• Pine Sol
• Lysol
• Windex
• socks (for women and children)
• one-month bus passes
• commercial-size trash bags (over 50 gallons)
• brooms
• dust pans
• deodorant
• toilet paper
• soap and shampoo
• tooth brushes
• tooth paste
• feminine hygiene products
• diapers (currently 6 months and up)
• baby wipes
• pillows
• bleach
• combs and brushes
• razors
• TUB AND TILE CLEANER

The Union Rescue Mission purchased two properties between 5-9 years ago and booked the properties on our balance sheet based on certified appraisals at the time of purchase.  Years later prudent management of the mission saw the need to sell these facilities to re-focus our attention on our mission statement to create an environment where the love and compassion of Jesus Christ can help people overcome and prevent life’s adversities.  Both of these facilities sold in 2008 at a down turn in the commercial real estate here in Central Arkansas.  The difference between the booked assets and the sale of these assets had to be declared on the IRS 990 filing as a loss and reported as “depreciation, depletion, etc” on line 42 of the filing.  These costs are considered according to generally accepted accounting principles as an “administrative expenses.”

While it is most disturbing to have reported the write down in asset loss for the 2007-08 IRS 990 filing year, we are committed to accurately reporting our financial position according to generally accepted accounting principles and maintaining integrity in all areas of our mission operation.  Though URM posted a significant loss for that fiscal year, the mission programming did not suffer as we sought to reach the last, least and loss in Central Arkansas.

When I came to the Union Rescue Mission as Executive Director four years ago, I did so because I strongly believe in the ministry of the Mission and desired to see the Mission serve her community with integrity.  I am most committed to the stewardship of all resources given by God’s people in the support of this ministry.  In the 2007-08 IRS 990 filing year 9.27% of our expenses were salary and benefit related.  If one were to factor out the asset write down due to the charging market values of the properties that were sold 31% of our expenses were salary and benefit related.

The Union Rescue Mission – Little Rock, AR has experienced some of her strongest years of ministry operation over the past two years serving in excess of 173,000 meals and averaging 189 men, women and children per night in our facilities.  Our 2008-09 IRS 990 filing which has yet to be posted on GUDIESTAR is summarized below and open for public inspection:

                Total Revenue:                     $782,552.00

                Total Expenses:                    $695,349.00

                Net Revenue:                       $  87,203.00

The Union Rescue Mission today stands stronger than she has in her 64 year history.  As the needs of our community continue to seep to the surface, we are committed to addressing the many faces of those hungry, hurting and homeless for whom desperation is a day-to-day experience.  We acknowledge our gratefulness of those who sacrificially give to the ministry and are committed to utilize those resources with the deepest integrity practicing Godly biblical stewardship.

Changing Lives…Strengthening Communities,

Dr. William D. Tollett

Executive Director

If you have collected items to donate to the Dorcas House, you may drop them off at the Dorcas House. Please call 501-374-4022 for the address as it is not published to protect the women and children living in the house. Currently, the Dorcas House is only accepting winter clothes (women and children), food items, toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products.

How to participate:

1. Ask your employer if they participate in a Matching Gift program.
2. Obtain a matching gift form and donation guidelines from your employer’s human resources or payroll department.
3. Complete the donor section of the form and submit it along with your personal donation to: Union Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 164057, Little Rock, AR 72216, EIN#  71-034893
4. URM will complete the forms and return the necessary documents back to your human resources department.
5. If approved, the company’s matching gift check is sent to Union Rescue Mission to match your already generous gift.

Tips:

• Many companies will match personal gifts such as cash, stocks, marketable securities and even the value of your volunteer time.
• Companies may also match gifts from employee spouses or retirees (but not gifts from others.)
• Some companies offer double or triple matches.
• Many companies do not have a Matching Gift program but will still match your donation.  Don’t be afraid to ask your employer for the matching gift.
• Talk to your co-workers, friends and sponsors about how they can increase their giving with an employee matching gift.  Invite them to visit our website!