JSCC Nursing Class Donation

Many nurses have been known for their kind hearts and care for others. I guess it is just one of those common quality most nurses intrinsically possess. This was evident on Thursday when a class of nursing students from Jackson State Community College with their teacher Belinda Higgins showed up at the RIFA loading dock with a donation.

Mrs. Higgins heard on the news about the Snack Backpack program. So, she contacted RIFA about a month ago asking for the item list for the Snack Backpack program. Then we did not hear from her until she rang the loading dock bell on Thursday. Her class of nursing students came together and raised 268 lbs of Snack Backpack food items!!!

RIFA would like to thank Mrs. Higgins and her class for their large donation! All of this food will help provide school children, who have access to little or no food over the weekend, with a bag of food!

Turkey Day 5-K Results (12-5-11)

Gold’s Gym in Jackson recently held a 5k run to benefit RIFA. The race was held on Thanksgiving Day, it was a 5k. There were over 650 runners that came to participate. It is the largest race in Jackson currently and a chip-timed  race as well. The check was presented to RIFA  Monday (12/5) and was in the amount of $5,000!  Steve Roten was the organizer of the race and  owner of Gold’s Gym in Jackson.

RIFA would like to thank Gold’s Gym and all of those who ran for their support of our ministry here!

Canstruction Structures Up in Mall

The structures for the 2011 Canstruction competition were assembled last night in the Old Hickory Mall.      Seven teams spent yesterday transporting their cans and then constructing their structures during yesterdays build out. The participants this year were: Englewood Baptist Church, Fellowship Bible Church, First Christian Church Youth Group, Gerdau, Jackson Energy Authority, Regional Hospital of Jackson and Vaughan Associates Architects, and West TN Healthcare.

If you have not already come and see the structures before they are taken apart on Friday October 28th. These teams have worked very hard over the past few months. It takes a good amount of preparation, work, and money to build a structure. The teams are responsible for making a design for their project. They then have to collect the cans required to make that structure. Finally, they have only a handful of hours to assemble their structures at the mall. So, go by and admire their hard work and great structures!

All the food collected goes to RIFA and from there it will be distributed in several different ways to feed those who are hungry in the community. Thanks to all the teams involved. A special thanks to the Old Hickory Mall for allowing RIFA to use their facilities.

Stay tuned all seven structures will be posted between now and next Tuesday. This will allow you to see them all if you are not able to go to the mall. The awards will be announced on October 25th!

Chi Omega Cleans Church for After School Progra

Chi Omega, a sorority at Union University, volunteered to help clean Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church in preparation for the after-school program, Club 412, which will be started by RIFA and the church. Lambuth Memorial has graciously offered their facilities to RIFA for use in Club 412.

The ladies of Chi-Omega, 27 in all, came Saturday ready to work, and work hard they did. They cleaned all of the classrooms being used for Club 412, mopped the gym, cleaned a kitchen, and reorganized a couple of rooms and closets. The girls may never see any of the children who attend the after-school program, but they have done a great service for these children, RIFA, and Lambuth Memorial in preparing the facilities for use.

RIFA would like to thank the ladies of Chi-Omega for their hard work and giving of their weekend to serve and better the community of Jackson!

Interested in volunteering at RIFA with a large group or an individual? Contact John Winfree at 427-7963 or johnwinfree@rifarifa.org.

Snack Backpack 2011-12

The first day of the Snack Backpack program began today. Over 350 bags were made today by volunteers. These food bags will go to children in the Jackson-Madison Count School System who qualify for the program.

Snack Backpack began when a school nurse in Arkansas noticed children fainting and becoming dizzy, usually occurring at the beginning of the week. After further investigation she realized this was happening because the children were not getting any food or a sufficient amount of food over the weekend. So, the Snack Backpack program was born.

Now it is a nationally recognized program by the National Council of Feeding America. The program nationwide serves some 230,000 children each year. Locally, we are blessed to be able to cater to 11 schools and over 350 children.

**Interested in helping with Snack Backpack? Here’s how:

1). Volunteer to help make the food bags Tuesdays at 12:30-2:00.

2). Donate the following items: Snack Crackers, Breakfast Bars, Cereal/Oatmeal, Easy-Mac, Drink (hot coca mix, juice boxes etc.), Pop-tarts, Canned Meat, Fruit Cups, Soup, and Ramen Noodles.                                                                                                     ***All of the canned items should be “pop-tops” or easy to open.

Kroger Cards available at RIFA!

Do you shop for groceries? Of course you do, but did you know that you can help RIFA at the same time? Well now you can! Through a partnership with Kroger, you can get 5 percent of the money you spend at Kroger donated to RIFA! The process is simple, come to RIFA and purchase a 5 dollar Kroger Card. That 5 dollar card is preloaded with 5 dollars to shop with. Go to your favorite Kroger Store and load the card with the amount you will spend on groceries. Go do your shopping and when you checkout use this gift card. 5 percent of your purchase will go to RIFA! More questions: call Shaun at 731-427-7963 ! Thank you in advance!

The Results of the ChickFila Food Drive!

Here are the results from all of the food you brought into the Chick Fila’s on Vann Drive and in the Mall on Tuesday. From Vann Drive:  673 lbs  and from the Old Hickory Mall:  42 lbs. We are so thankful for the support from these restaurants  and for you our readers!

Jackson’s Outpouring of Support!

A few weeks ago, RIFA made an appeal on the evening news for box fans to distribute to our patrons. We have been flooded with box fans! The support from the community has been amazing on this request and we have received over 60 fans!

Special Donation!

RIFA is dependent upon donations from the community. Every once in a while we get a donation that touches the heart. This young boy brought in a donation for RIFA. It is humbling to see children bringing in money to use to take care of the needy. If this child does it how much more should we?

First Baptist Adamsville Comes and Serves at RIFA

 

 

As part of their service week the youth group from First Baptist Adamsville came to RIFA and served in a few different ways. The group participated in our Summer Club, worked in the Warehouse and the Thrift Store, helped prepare clothing for the Uniform Exchange, cleaned the building, and help sort hygiene items for the Outreach office. Here are some pictures! Feel free to leave comments!