Jackson schools work together to benefit RIFA
JACKSON, Tenn. – Local schools may be rivals on the field, but they still come together for our community.
Jackson-Madison County Schools, along with Jackson Christian School, Trinity, and University School of Jackson came together for a food drive to benefit RIFA.
Thursday night, representatives from each school were in attendance at the Trinity versus JCS game to announce how much food was raised.
Their goal was to raise 50,000 pounds of food. And they far exceeded that goal.
Representatives say the schools were able to raise food and monetary donations equaling over 68,000 pounds for RIFA this year, exceeding last year’s donations by almost 23,000 pounds.
PRESS RELEASE FROM KRISTEN KASPER, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, RIFA:
HUB CITY SCHOOLS HOLD FOOD DRIVE FOR RIFA
JACKSON, TN – October 27, 2023 – Jackson Christian School (JCS), Trinity Christian Academy (TCA), and the University School of Jackson (USJ), along with South Side High School, Community Montessori, JCM Early College High, North Parkway Middle, Denmark Elementary, Arlington, Andrew Jackson and Jackson Central Merry High School, joined together to address the critical issue of hunger through their annual RIFA Food Drive. The food drive, which was held in honor of Hunger Action Month in September, raised 68,986 pounds of food. Students representing each school joined RIFA staff to announce the total amount of food raised during halftime of the TCA vs. JCS football game Thursday night.
“This is the twelfth year of this food drive,” said Shaun Powers, Director of Operations of RIFA. “Students from local schools raise food for Hunger Action Month throughout September. The food is donated to RIFA where it will be distributed to those in need in our community.”
In 2022, their combined efforts provided over 46,000 pounds of food for families in need. The food drive began as a competition between Jackson Christian and University School of Jackson. Over the years it has grown to include others. This is the first year that Jackson-Madison County Schools have participated in the food drive. The schools set a combined goal of raising 50,000 pounds of food this year.
Students from each school were able to visit RIFA in early September to meet with staff and learn more about how the food raised will be used to fight hunger in Jackson.
About RIFA
In 1976, local churches and community leaders formed the Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) to address the needs of the growing number of people living in poverty in Jackson, Tennessee. Today, RIFA’s vision is to lead and engage the community in the fight against hunger. RIFA is a Christian nonprofit organization that reaches out with the love of Christ to help people in need by providing physical and spiritual nourishment.
