In light of federal budget cuts limiting traditional social service agency offerings, Ecumenical Ministries, Inc. developed an ecumenical volunteer program in Baldwin County, Alabama, to enable trained church members to recognize and address some of the unmet needs of the poor. In its first year, the successful program researched community needs and resources, surveyed existing human service agencies, produced a community resources directory for use by volunteers and agencies, created an awareness of the needs of the poor among potential volunteers, trained over 100 volunteers through a series of workshops and training sessions, and developed procedures for maintaining records of volunteers. The program developed a volunteer handbook and training manual and a series of video tapes for training. It identified the large, rural county's major areas of need as transportation, jobs, health care expenses, food, shelter, early childhood education, utility costs, and advocacy. After a year, community awareness of the plight of the poor had increased and several volunteer groups, including some low-income individuals, were providing assistance. Program funding was continued. Recommendations regarding coordination, volunteer training, and program organization, development, and planning are included. Appendices include a training outline, a list of video tapes, and volunteer record forms. (SB)