While the Mental Health Association of St. Tammany learned last month it will not have to close any programs due to state budget cuts, officials say they are still not out of the woods yet.

“We are still struggling,” said MHAST Executive Director Cheri Carter. “Our reserves are shrinking, and we’ve had to get creative to find some alternative sources of funding.”

The agency was faced with a proposed $120,000 cut in state funding, which would have amounted to half its operating budget. Sunshine House, a day program that provides support for adults with chronic mental illness, and a family therapy clinic that offers therapy services on a sliding fee scale, were in the most immediate danger. While the agency was able to renew its contract for Sunshine House, the state Office of Mental Health, which oversees the group’s governing body, the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority, will still receive about $43 million in cuts beginning July 1.

Carter and MHAST board members have been busy examining ways to make up the difference. Earlier this year they began selling baked goods at the Camellia City Market, Slidell’s weekly farmer’s market and are taking a cue from that experience by participating in a number of special events over the next few months.

At the Lacombe Crab Fest this weekend, MHAST will be selling cookies and bread, along with sweet tea donated by Sweet Peppers Deli.

The pastries are baked by MHAST staff and board members, including Carter herself, who was hard at work preparing about 85 dozen cookies earlier this week.

“To say we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep this organization alive is putting it mildly,” she said with a laugh.

MHAST will also spend July 4 taking tickets at Entrance Gate 1 during the Slidell Heritage Festival in Heritage Park.

On Aug. 7, MHAST will partner with the St. Tammany chapter of the National Alliance Mental Illness and St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide with the second annual Katrina Comic Relief benefit at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. Other highlights will include a cash bar, both silent and live auctions, and a guest speaker to be announced.

Last year’s speaker was columnist Chris Rose, and Carter assures residents this year’s guest will be equally entertaining.

On Sept. 26 and 27, the group will join the Tammany Trace Foundation and Truth 180 for the first ever Louisiana Alligator Festival, at the Koop Drive Trailhead.

Benny Grunch & the Bunch will be among the featured entertainment, with a Gator Cookoff, artwork, handmade jewelry, a health and wellness display, family fun area and more.

In addition, girls ages infant to 18 can compete for the Miss Alligator Queen contest. Winners in the 17- and 18-year-old division will have a chance to go on to state and national level pageants.

MHAST is also working with Howlin’ Wolf Northshore to produce a series of monthly concerts starting in September with well-known regional artists.

“We really wanted to have a lot of fun events for the community, as well as raise funds,” said Carter. “The people at Howlin’ Wolf are fantastic, and they’re working very hard to make this a great venue for the Northshore.”

Carter said putting all these new events together will take a lot of work, and the group is in desperate need of volunteers.

“It’s a lot of work, so we really need people to help us out,” she said.

To volunteer call Mary Goss at 641-0619 or for more info email chericarter@yahoo.com.