Mountain T.O.P. Awarded Home Repair Grant for Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie Counties

ALTAMONT -- Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project), an interdenominational ministry which has completed thousands of home repair and construction projects in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee since its founding in 1975, has been awarded a Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) through the USDA Rural Housing Development program.

The money will be used to continue home repair and construction projects in Grundy, Marion and Sequatchie counties.

“This grant will allow us to serve more people,” said the Rev. Ed Simmons, executive director of Mountain T.O.P. “It's great news, and we're delighted that USDA has given us this opportunity.”

Currently, Mountain T.O.P. is utilizing other USDA programs in service to families in need. With this new grant opportunity, Mountain T.O.P. now has the ability to reach families or individuals who may not qualify for other programs.

To complete these projects, Mountain T.O.P. utilizes volunteers – church youth groups, young adults and adults – who come from across the U.S. to attend Mountain T.O.P. camp events each year. Mountain T.O.P. works in partnership with the families being served. Depending on the situation and the ability of those being served, the family may contribute “sweat equity” on the project, help repay materials or just provide hospitality to volunteers working on the project.

“For the past thirty years, Mountain T.O.P. has been serving people of the Appalachian region regardless of ethnicity, family make up, or disability,” said Simmons. In addition, the ministry is committed to providing services according to the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, which ensures that grant-funded projects will be open to all who are in need.

“We can't wait to get started,” said Simmons.

Those who think they might qualify for assistance can call Mountain T.O.P. at (931) 692-3999 or by e-mailing info@mountain-top.org. Other background information about the program, such as applications for 2008 camp events or other volunteer opportunities, can be found on the Mountain T.O.P. web site, www.mountain-top.org.

Mountain T.O.P. is an interdenominational Christian mission, affiliated with the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, dedicated to rural life ministry in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.