The History of MIFA continued The Future The lodestar of MIFA is its statement of mission: “MIFA, an ecumenical nonprofit agency, responds quickly to critical and emerging unmet human needs through well-managed services with and on behalf of caring people.” It is intended that this statement will guide the future as it has the past and the present. Its methods of reaching that goal will, however, continually shift to accommodate changes in needs and the availability of resources. MIFA has already pushed out the limits of social action in Memphis, and as long as it attracts dedicated, imaginative people who care about their less fortunate fellowmen, it will continue to serve by challenging old, often ineffective concepts and methods. One indication of possible direction for the future is MIFA's first out-based agency, the Reelfoot Center near Ripley, Tennessee. In partnership with the United Methodist Church, MIFA accepted the management of this multi-service agency serving Lake, Dryer, and Obion Counties. As a part of the ongoing evolution of programs, the Memphis Food Bank will move to a larger warehouse and be under the direction of its own Board of Directors. Release of the large warehouse space at 910 Vance offers new opportunities for growth. The new MIFA Resource Center program will allow MIFA to collect usable non-food items, such as office and home furnishings, from corporations and individuals and to reuse them efficiently in human service programs. Throughout most of the years of its existence MIFA's Board of Directors has been chaired by clergymen of various faiths. Annabelle Whittemore, its first chairperson, however, was a laywoman, as is its present one, Nancy Fulmer, now serving her second term. Her Chairmanship comes at a time when the organization is faced with increasing demands for services while fewer government funds are available. Of this challenge, she writes, “MIFA is unique, a vehicle for people of faith in Memphis to band together and really do something for people in need. Most rewarding is the way that our volunteers, staff and clients join hands in a supportive circle. Many clients become donors or come back as volunteers when they are on their feet again. This seems to be 'community' at its best. I wish we could package that spirit. It might save the world!” It is this kind of attitude that sets the tone for MIFA and projects it into the future with hope. In spite of the level of maturity MIFA has attained, and the growth it has experienced, its strength continues to lie in its compassion for the underprivileged and its determinations to resist becoming cast in concrete. The ability to move in proportion to size is well-known. Elephants are not as swift as tigers. It is all the more worthy of note, then, that in spite of its enhanced size and the addition of new programs and staff, MIFA remains open to new ideas and ways of serving the community. The category of emerging needs, while not the largest in the spectrum of MIFA activities, is in some ways the most noteworthy. It offers hope that, in a changing world, with new and unforeseen needs arising frequently, there is MIFA to listen to those needs, to struggle with mustering the ways and means to address them, and on behalf of many, to provide some relief. The community needs such a place of last resort, a place that can attend to situations that do not fall under the auspices of any other agency, public or private. The MIFA staff understands the dangers inherent in success, if success is measured by growth, and is working hard to avoid falling into the trap of becoming rigid, self-protective and bureaucratic. During its twenty years of existence MIFA has matured, not only in the eyes of the community, but also in its ability to withstand whatever comes its way. While it now has a broad range of support, it will always be at risk, Smith believes, and will always depend upon community commitment and goodwill. MIFA is unique among similar organizations that were established in the 60's because it has endured to arrive at this stage. Community support has made this growth possible. Memphians have joined hands and created an agency to care for their neighbors in need. All can share pride in MIFA's effectiveness. The time, talents, and treasures so generously given to MIFA show Memphians to have, as well as occupy, the “Heart of the Mid-South.” It is sincerely hoped that this unusual example of people of goodwill working together to relieve the suffering of their fellowmen can continue to grace the lives and hearts of both its donors and its beneficiaries. Although this history of MIFA will conclude at its twentieth year, it is only the beginning of the MIFA story. This version is published as a tribute to those who made MIFA possible and as an invitation to those who want to be a part of its continued growth. MIFA faces the future as an on-going, open-ended, unfinished organization whose final form cannot be predicted. While change is not always easy to cope with, MIFA's flexibility is also its glory. The chances are good that the painter will have to put many new coats of paint on MIFA offices as they are rearranged to adapt to new realities and changing times.