The Schuyler County Ministerial Alliance (SCMA) throughout its history has not only been interested and involved in the food and clothing ministries but has been active in or focused on families with loved ones in the military, on youth crusades, on county-wide church services and in funneling information to all congregations. It has worked to provide nursing home services, Good Friday and Thanksg
iving services, and the National and World Days of Prayer services. In addition, a Singspiration monthly program is in place. The SCMA partners with organizations across the county such as Northeast Missouri Caring Communities, Inc., Schuyler County Health Department, University of Missouri Extension, Northeast Missouri Community Action Agency, and Schuyler R-1 Schools. Through these organizations SCMA has helped with the Back to School event to help provide needed supplies for students, has worked with local school leaders to sponsor baccalaureate services and scholarships for graduates, promote community gardens, assist with adopt-a-child Christmas gifts, and help with emergency needs in the county. In late 2005 Schuyler County Ministerial Alliance 2005 assumed the additional ministry of providing food to county residents qualifying because of need and income. After spending more than 600 hours of volunteer labor, $175 of paid labor and about $3,000 in materials to convert the site to a newly remodeled and brightly lighted location, the community sponsored a soup supper and gathered sufficient funds to completely pay the outstanding expenses of the Schuyler County Food Room. The Schuyler County Food Room first located in the basement of the Nutrition Site has now grown to a new building located about 5 blocks away off Highway C at 105 North East Park Street. Funds for the new building were secured by marketing Neighborhood Assistance Project (NAP) tax credits. It formally opened in November, 2011 after a two-year fund raising campaign. The new facility contains both the Food Room and the Clothes & More Shoppe, a thrift store. The new building was built for about $125,000 and included funds from the tax credit campaign, grants and donations. The facility is completely debt free. The new facility now offers meeting space for the Schuyler County Ministerial Alliance meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. The Ministerial Alliance is composed of both ministers and lay persons who see their mission as helping others. The current membership averages 25 persons. All are welcome.
