FISH REELING IN: CASTING A NET INTO THE COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERS WITH THE FISH ORGANIZATION REEL BACK DONATIONS OF FOOD, MONEY AND HELP FOR PEOPLE IN NEED

Casting a net into the community, volunteers with the FISH organization reel back donations of food, money and help for people in need.

Thousands of people receive assistance each year through the cooperative ministry designed to give families basic necessities.

The FISH ministry began in 1979 when a group of citizens, agency representatives and church leaders met to discuss ways to better coordinate the many helping services in Cape Girardeau. A year later, FISH started serving people.

Initially, 13 churches were involved. Currently, 43 churches are members of FISH, providing food and monetary donations, volunteer work and other support. Over 100 active volunteers work to keep the program going.

Area churches pool their resources to provide the communitywide ministry. FISH organizations are in place across the country.

The fish is an ancient Christian symbol and the Greek word for fish is an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."

"This is niche ministry," said the Rev. James Caughlan, president of FISH. "Churches have a long history of handling emergency assistance."

Caughlan said, "People want to genuinely help those in need. But there are always a few abusers. People were going from church to church living off the system."

Caughlan who has been involved with FISH just over a year said, "The people involved are committed to the purpose of providing for everyone in need."

FISH volunteers keep meticulous records about clients and eligibility requirements.

"We run a very tight ship," said Gil Degenhardt, publicity chairman. "The organization is well run and we have the kind of cooperation needed to make it work. This is an integral part of our Christian commitment to society."

The program provides food, assistance with utility payments, transportation, even medication.

Degenhardt explained, "FISH is committed to short-term help. We hope to help people get back on their feet."

Eunice Scott, who coordinates telephone volunteers for FISH, was involved at the beginning of the program and is back working with the group again.

"When you start working with FISH, you realize what a vital ministry it is," Scott said. "Plus there is real fellowship among the volunteers. We have a sense of purpose and satisfaction helping others."

Scott added, "We treat that money like it's our own. We truly want it to go to the worthy.

"For so many people, the first stop would be the churches," Scott said. "FISH was established in order to keep a file system at one point and monitor distribution of donations."

The organization's budget is over $40,000 annually and FISH receives money through Union Electric's Dollar More program to help people pay utility bills in emergency situations.

For the 1992 fiscal year, FISH helped 1,071 families representing 2,847 people; 3,574 bags of food were given; 236 people received help with utility payments; 64 people received help with transportation and 30 new clients were added to the rolls.

That's a big change from the first months of operation.

Scott said the first two months in 1980 brought a total of 47 calls. Today the program averages 100 calls each month. "June, July and August are peak months," Scott said. "We average well over 100 each of those months."

Everyone associated with FISH volunteers their services. Executive board members are limited to two years in any position, guaranteeing fresh faces and new ideas.

Scott said when a person needs help, he or she can call the FISH line, 334-0207.

Telephone volunteers usually dedicate one day a month to FISH. Volunteers man the phone lines from their homes. They are trained and then equipped with a handbook full of answers to potential questions.

"The telephone volunteer takes the information from the caller and then checks the index file," Scott said.

All persons who have received help through FISH are listed.

The volunteer determines if the person falls within guidelines for services and, if so, sends the person to the right place.

For food, clients go to the pantry, located at the Maple Avenue Methodist Church.

The volunteers at the pantry double check with computer records that the client is eligible for services.

"We try to give them enough food for five days," said June Ebers, co-chairman of the food pantry. "We determine the number of people in the family and how many children. We like to give them things that appeal to children and a variety. But at this time of year, with the pantry low, there is not much variety."

Churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals all give, many on a regular basis.

"Almost always when you are volunteering on the telephone, you get a call from someone with donations," said Scott.

Until 18 months ago, the pantry handled government commodity foods. But that has stopped because of the preponderance of paperwork involved.

"We get sufficient donations without that," said Ebers. "This is one of the best towns. It's overwhelming what people contribute."

However, summer is the slowest time for donations.

If a person needs help with transportation, FISH will provide a voucher for a bus ride or up to 15 gallons of gasoline. Recipients must work four hours, usually at the Salvation Army, in return for the help.

Art Click, transportation chairman, explained that transportation help is available just one time.

"We ask people to work before we give them the help. No one has complained about working," he said.

"It's kind of a unique system," Scott said. "It works."

Caughlan said, "One of the joys of this job is the thank-you notes we receive from people we have helped over a hard period and they have been able to go on."