Submitted photo First United Methodist Church Pastor Tim Edin welcomed Makayla Mayle, executive director of Tyrand Cooperative Ministries, Inc., as she outlined her organization’s programs and needs to the church’s congregation.

ELKINS — Makayla Mayle, executive director of Tyrand Cooperative Ministries, Inc., addressed the congregation of the First United Methodist Church in Elkins, outlining the organizations programs and needs. Tyrand, which was established in 1962, is located at 792 Back Road in Mill Creek and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In recent months, Tyrand has had a number of unexpected expenses. They have had to replace the heating and cooling systems, repair the sewage system and remediate a mold problem in the store area. “I’ve learned that there is power in prayer. We were able to get through that, form new partnerships, meet new friends and new volunteers,” said Mayle.

One of the needs at Tyrand is youth participation. Most of the volunteers for the organization are older. “We’re trying to target the youth with some of the fundraisers we started last year. We’re going to do a softball tournament, a hunger walk, and a dance for grade school children,” commented Mayle. “A lot of times, the kids come up and help us fill holiday baskets.”

Among the many programs Tyrand offers to the community are a food pantry, school supplies (for 100 children in 2024) a work camp, a Christmas store, furniture and home goods for those who have lost their homes to fire and the holiday baskets. In 2024,1,500 families which included 3,500 individuals, were served by the various programs.

One of the most pressing needs for Tyrand is more volunteers. “We always need volunteers in our clothing store, it is run strictly by volunteers. We have someone who comes once a month to run an Ebay account for us, but we could use more help with that,” said Mayle. “We could also use help picking-up large items that individuals would like to donate.”

Tyrand’s budget of $220,000 is supported through a number of sources. The United Methodist Conference provides roughly $40,000, local Methodist and Presbyterian churches provide financial assistance, and many individuals provide food for the food pantry, goods for sale in the organization’s store and monetary gifts. Mayle has also written grants to support the work of Tyrand. Additionally, Tyrand conducts a yard sale in the summer to support its mission work; in 2024, $1,500 was raised from this effort.

In the spring, the First United Methodist Church Praise Band will again be performing a concert to benefit Tyrand. Last year’s concert was well attended, and the group looks forward to this year’s performance.

At the conclusion of Mayle’s presentation, Pastor Tim Edin presented Mayle with a large collection of hats, mittens and non-perishable foods that were collected from the congregation and community members to help ease the strain on Tyrand’s resources.

For more information about Tyrand Cooperative Ministries, Inc.’s programs or to make a donation to support the organization’s efforts on behalf of the residents of Randolph County or to offer volunteer services to Tyrand, visit www.tyrandcoop.org, or call 304-335-2788.