Salt & Light Banquet brings evening of hope for homelessness
JACKSON, Tenn. — Sunday evening, Area Relief Ministries (ARM) presented the 2024 Salt and Light Banquet in the Hub City.
The community gathered at the Carl Perkins Civic Center for this occasion aiming to make a difference.
ARM is on a mission to fight homelessness by giving individuals a second chance.
“The entire event is geared towards fundraising, and we’re really excited about it because this is our biggest event of the year,” said Faith Moore, ARM Director for Development and Marketing. “It’s been going on for several decades, and so people look forward to it.”
They service 43% of the homeless population in West Tennessee. Necessities range from helping wash clothes, providing their address for individuals to use on job applications, and creating educational opportunities for them to get their GED.
“Last year we were able to help over 300 homeless men, and then counting in our day center that also offers services for anybody that’s homeless, so we were probably able to help over 360 people year round,” said ARM Executive Director Fred McKinnie.
The Salt and Light Banquet funds their day center, along with various shelter programs and housing programs for low income families. It generally takes them 30 to 60 days to get in moved in and out of the spaces.
“If we can help you prevent from becoming homeless, if you need help with your utilities or medical bills, or something as far as dental care or something like that, we try to help you with that, or if you already are in crisis and you found that you are already without a home then we have multiple programs. We have a day center that services both men and women,” said Moore.
To ensure continued progress, they make sure to do routine check-ins to make sure each individual is taken care of appropriately.
“We have case managers, housing case managers that help them, so we work with each person individually and at least try to meet with them once a month to make sure that they set goals with them and make sure they stay on track to keep their housing and be able to find employment or whatever resources they need,” said McKinnie.
This initiative helps alleviate suffering, promotes dignity, and fosters hope for those in need.
Volunteers are needed for their Room In The Inn shelter that will be starting November 1. Click here for more information.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
