Giving Every Little Bit Counts

by ShaWanda Jacome
October 21, 2009

Every donation counts. No matter how much you have to give, the donations of everyday people like you and me make a difference in the lives of others. Have you ever wondered how your $5, $10 or $100 donation has made a tangible impact in someone's lives? Maybe you have been hesitant to give because you didn't know where your money would go. Here are just a handful of the many non-profits in the Jackson metro area that shared with us where your money goes.

Baptist Health Foundation-Cancer Services Fund
1225 N. State St.
601-968-1489
http://www.mbhs.org/foundation

Services: Provides a home-away-from-home through their Family Lodge, plus care, community outreach, appearance needs (hats, scarves and wigs), research and transportation for cancer patients.

Fact: 100 percent of all donations go toward your intended purpose; no donated money is used for overhead or administrative costs.


Mississippi Food Network
P.O. Box 411, Jackson
601-353-7286
http://www.msfoodnet.org

Services: Distributes donated and purchased food to help alleviate poverty-related hunger.

Fact: Every $1 donation provides up to seven meals.


Mississippi Animal Rescue League
5221 Greenway Drive
601-969-1631
http://www.msarl.org

Services: MARL is an open-door animal shelter. It provides adoption, care and low-cost spaying and neutering.

Fact: In 2008, MARL took in over 16,000 animals at a cost of over $800,000. A $50 donation pays for the care of one animal for a year.


Stewpot Community Services
1100 W. Capitol St.
601-353-2759
http://www.stewpot.org

Services: Provides food, clothing, shelter, and care to children, elderly, disabled and poor persons.

Fact: A $5 donation will buy the non-donated portion of 10 meals or two weeks of school supplies for an after-school program or shelter child; $25 will provide 17 trips on public transportation for someone to get to work; $50 will purchase school uniforms for a child for a whole year.


Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi
P.O. Box 3194, Jackson
601-969-7088
http://www.bgccm.net

Services: Operates six clubs in the area and a camp facility near Hazlehurst, provide low-cost after-school and summer care for children. Includes daily snacks and use of

books, educational materials, computers, art supplies and sports equipment.

Fact: They charge members only $25 per year, but it costs about $500 per year to provide services to one child.


Friends of Children’s Hospital
Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children
2500 N. State St.
601-984-5273
http://www.foch.org

Services: Provides patient and family support and promotes the hospital, which is designed and equipped to care and treat sick and injured children.

Fact: A gift of $5 or $10 can help purchase new toys for their activity rooms for patients, and a $25 donation would help families while their child is hospitalized.


Rise Above for Youth
2389 N. Midway Road, Clinton
601-922-4968
http://www.riseabove4youth.org

Services: A new organization serving emancipated foster and homeless youth. Two sub-groups will include LGBT youth and pregnant and parenting teens. Services will include housing, living skills training, guidance counseling, case management and mentoring.

Fact: 100 percent of donations go toward the startup costs for this program.


Latte Ladies/Mocha Moms
P.O. Box 1692, Jackson
601-624-8779
http://www.latteandmocha.com

Services: A mentoring and support program for pregnant or parenting teens, ages 12 to 18, and their children.

Fact: Each teen is required to complete a Wish List upon admission to the program consisting of educational needs and household needs. A $5 donation buys school supplies for the parents or an alarm clock.


Parents for Public Schools
200 N. Congress St., Suite 500
800-880-1222 or 601-969-6936
http://www.parents4publicschools.com

Services: They organize and train parents to advocate for their children and hold districts accountable for results. PPS encourages parents to become involved.
Fact: A $5 donation helps buy art supplies for students; a $25 donation helps a parent implement a school improvement project in his/her child’s school and $50 donation helps bring artists into schools to teach.


Common Bond Association
Corporate Office
836 Medical Plaza
601-371-6851
http://www.commonbondassociation.org

Services: A faith based, non-profit that provides affordable alcohol and drug treatment for men. Includes food, housing, life skills training, counseling and transition to independent living.

Fact: A $5 donation will pay for three meals a day for three clients; a $25 donation will pay for linens for two beds; a $50 donation will pay the fuel cost to transport 15 clients to and from work for two days, $150 will support a client for a week and $750 provide a scholarship for a primary client for 28 days of treatment.


Dress for Success Metro Jackson
2519 Robinson Street
601-985-9888
http://www.dressforsuccess.org/metrojackson

Service: Provides professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help disadvantaged women.

Fact: Sixty-five percent of all donations go toward programs. A donation of $5 can pay to dry clean an interview suit; $10 can pay for resume paper; $20 can purchase interview shoes; $40 can purchase a suit for a plus size woman and $100 can purchase food for about 25 women to attend the Professional Women’s Group.

Non-profits, go add your information and needs at http://www.jackpedia.com.