Local nonprofits look for donations on Giving Tuesday

JACKSON, Tenn. — Organizations in West Tennessee are hoping you’ll take some time to give back on Giving Tuesday, a day to pay it forward after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

Organizations like RIFA offer programs like their 365-day-a-year soup kitchen, and programs to help kids, like the ‘Snack Backpack’ program.

“Those children who would normally not go home to food on the weekends so th ey have their meal at lunch time on Friday, and a lot of those children don’t eat again until Monday at school,” Chelsea Catherine Cobb said with RIFA.

Down the road is the Salvation Army, well known this time of year by red kettles seen on storefronts, and the Angel Tree at Old Hickory Mall.

“Each angel represents a real child in need in Madison County, and some of the surrounding counties we have here. On the card is written clothing sizes and a wish list,” the Salvation Army’s Major Jayne May said.

You can pick up a child to sponsor outside J.C. Penney.

“If anything is needed in this country right now, it’s unity. We need love and there’s no race here. There’s nothing that keeps us from loving and reaching out to anybody. We all just love because it’s Christmas and there are good people out there who want to give and see a child have a happy Christmas, and that’s what it’s all about,” Major May said.

The Salvation Army said they’ve promised a Christmas for more than 300 kids, and they still have about 100 available to sponsor.

To help out RIFA, go to their website: www.rifajackson.org

You can pick up an angel off of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Old Hickory Mall outside J.C. Penney. All angels need to be returned by December 17th.

You can also donate money online to the Salvation Army. Click here. If you would like to volunteer your time to help with the Angel Tree, call 731-422-1271.