11/02/09 - Madison County
Regional Interfaith Association, or RIFA, helps people in need, but over the past 6 months they have seen a drastic increase in the number of people they serve. Their soup kitchen is serving almost twice the number of meals everyday. In an effort to help, Jackson City Councilman Ernest Brooks is asking everyone to donate cans.
"Step to the plate and fight
hunger here in our city," said Brooks. That is his
challenge he issued on Monday for the second annual
5,000 cans of food hunger project. He is hoping to
provide food for the RIFA soup kitchen.
Brooks said donations are
needed more now than years past. "With the recession and
with unemployment here in Madison County going to double
digit numbers, the need for food is even more prevalent
now," said Brooks.
You can donate as many or as
little cans as you would like because people who use the
soup kitchen said every little bit helps. "Anything
helps; a piece of clothing or shoes; not just food,"
said David, who eats in the soup kitchen. "If you have a
lot of food at your house, come on and donate it because
it's benefiting a lot of people," said Latasha Jenkins.
Jenkins eats at RIFA often
and she believes it not only gives people a warm meal,
but also helps cut down on thefts. "It helps feed the
children and the people that are out here on the streets
that aren't able to buy food. They don't have to steal
food. It helps them come enjoy a warm cooked meal," said
Jenkins.
The food hunger project
collected more than 7,000 cans last year, but Brooks
hopes this year will be even better. "We've upped the
ante this year and we've challenged even more
organizations to participate," said Brooks.
Brooks said his goal this
year is at least 10,000 cans. You have until December 15
to drop off your canned goods at RIFA in Downtown
Jackson.