Current Programs:

NECO has grown to serve, on average, 100 families per month. The average financial assistance provided to this client base each month is $5,500. Other assistance is provided to qualified families in the form of food, clothing, rent, electricity, water, gas, prescription medication and non-prescription medications. Clothing is frequently dispensed from the thrift store. The organization also administers many volunteers for special programs such as:
  • Hearts, Hands & Hammers - providing materials and manpower for home repair
  • Meals on Wheels - drivers sent out daily to deliver meals to the elderly
  • Back to School supplies - complete supplies and uniform assistance for the children
  • Dress for Success - providing clothing for job interviews
  • Holiday meals - food boxes to provide all of the holiday trimming
  • Christmas Toy Program - toys and clothing for the children
  • God's Medicine Chest - prescription medicine assistance
  • God's Band-Aid - non-prescription medicine
  • Victory Garden - providing fresh produce to clients
  • Classes - offering help and encouragement

Donating To Charity Begins At Home

When it comes to organizing your many belongings, popular television shows and magazine articles give some very sage advice; make three decisions - keep, throw away or give away to your local charity. Many folks have no problem deciding what to keep, however, what to throw away and what to give away seems to be a quandary for many.

Congress passed new rules for deducting household goods and clothing donations in 2006. Unless the item is in "good used condition or better" or was donated before Aug. 18, 2006, you won't get the tax deduction. The question, of course, is what "good used condition" means. Who defines it, and what proof is needed?

"It means you can't give away your kids' blue jeans that have holes in the backside," said Clint Stretch, managing principal for tax policy at Deloitte Tax LLP. "If you give trash away, don't try to take a deduction."

Beyond the fact of tax laws, take into consideration the cost that the charity has in disposing of your "trash." This can amount to a significant amount of money paid to waste management companies and city dumps. Also, items that need repair, i.e., appliances, damaged furniture, torn clothing, broken toys, etc. are not usable since most charities do not have the staff or skills to do such repair.

Like NECO, many charities operate thrift stores to cover the operating costs of their ministry. Ask yourself, "Would I buy this if I saw it in their store?", or more important, "Would I give this to a friend in need?" If the answer is "no" then you know what pile it goes into. Keep in mind that your items should be in such a condition that they can be resold to benefit that organization. Always check with NECO or your local charity before donating large items and/or building materials. They can direct you to a more suitable agency to take your donation.

You probably see many donation drop boxes in local parking lots. If you truly want the item to go to your local charity, take it directly to them. Theft is a common problem with these boxes, meaning the agency never even receives what you donated. Many organizations named on those boxes don't even service the needy of your community. If your heart is for your neighbors, donate locally.

So before you re-arrange the next closet or clean out the next drawer, keep in mind exactly what your goal is in donating to a charity. If it is to benefit others and create income for an agency to meet the needs of those less fortunate, it will make your chore a more worthwhile endeavor.