Ministry that repaired, built SC houses closes

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A Mount Pleasant ministry that brought in thousands of volunteers to help repair and build houses for poor and elderly South Carolina residents has closed after more than 20 years.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Thursday (http://bit.ly/qjtqdv ) that the United Methodist Relief Center filed for bankruptcy with $800,000 of debt. Leaders blame the closure on declining donations in the sagging economy.

Retired Methodist minister and interim director Carroll Cash says the relief center helped thousands of people in 25 counties live in better, safer homes.

The nonprofit group’s latest IRS filings show its annual budget was about $2 million, including nearly $500,000 for 13 full-time and one part-time employee.

The center started after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 as a way to repair storm-damaged homes for those without insurance.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com