Gulf Coast Community Ministries
In the past seven years, we've grappled with lengthy restoration caused by Hurricane Katrina's devastation. In 2008, coastal revitalization was impeded further by the national economic recession that continues to stall progress and worsens unemployment. Then in 2010, the Mississippi Coast was impacted by the Deepwater BP oil spill, the largest accidental marine oil spill in petroleum industry history.The combined impacts of natural and man made catastrophes only widened the housing, nutritional and healthcare gaps for Gulfport citizens who rely on GCCM services. In 2012, GCCM provided food to 7,223 individuals, a monthly average of 602 men, women and children. In 2012, GCCM provided medical care to 648 uninsured citizens. Among the 50 states, Mississippi ranks #1 for food insecurity and percentage of residents living below the poverty line according to the Food Research and Action Center. Our State faces a healthcare crisis with the highest national rate of obesity and second highest rate of diabetes. Approximately 500,000 Mississippians lack health insurance or regular healthcare, tend to use emergency room care and lack medication coverage.