Vote for Gulf Coast Community Ministries

Gulf Coast Community Ministries has been providing the basic needs for people in our local community for nearly two decades and the need has increased along with the COVID threat in our area.

- nineteen years and going strong- gulf coast community ministries- has been providing- the basic needs for people righ- here in our local community for- nearly two decades, and the nee- has increased along - with the covid-threat in our- area.

- news 25's toni miles shows us - how you can pitch in to help- secure $20,000 dollars for this- local service group.- - in every adversity, you - can find a silver lining, a - biblical and life principal - executive - director michael wilson, and- others here at gulf coast - - - - community ministiries, live by.- <nats>- this gulfport-based non-profit- was built on faith nearly 20- years ago, and has been lending- a helping hand to our local - community ever since.

- michael wilson, executive - director, gulf coast community- ministries: "we provide a number of outreach- opportunities.

We have free - medical - clinic where we provide medical- assistance, diagnosis,- assistance for anyone - who is uninsured.

We have a foo- pantry for anyone in our area - who has food needs.

We have a - clothing closet for our homeles- - - - population.

We have a literacy- program for anyone who may need- those services.

We have a free- library."

- - - toni miles, news 25: "the need to restock these shelves and- provide other essential - services has increased greatly,- especially now, in the wake of- covid-19, - but you can lend a helping- hand."

Michael wilson, executive - director, gulf coast community- ministries: "we've seen a huge uptick in people- needing our services.

Initially- when the quarantine - first began, and the social - distancing protocols first- began, we saw a huge uptick.- those kind of waned up a little- bit when the stimulus checks- came out, but they've picked- right back up and our services- are beign requested just as muc- as ever.

In fact, with- unemployment benefits running - out recently, just in this last- week or two, we've seen a huge- uptick for those needing- assistance."

Gulf coast community ministries- is among only 20- contenders for a $20,000 grand- prize offered by horne, llp, on- of the top cpa and business - advisory firms in our nation, i- an- online competition.

- the prize money would go a long- way here.

- michael wilson, executive - director, gulf coast community- ministries: "it would.

Last year, we ran the numbers,- and when you figure the amount- of money we spent on- our food pantry versus the- number of meals we gave out,- we're able to produce a - meal for about 40-cents, so you- can run those numbers on- $20,000, and see how- many meals we'd be able to- provide for the gulf coast."

Voting is now underway and ends- august 30th.- to vote, just head on over to - gulf coast community- ministries' facebook page or- website - or go directly to - horne, llp's website.

- in gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.