Nonprofit distributes supplies to Jackson’s unhoused community

JACKSON, Tenn. — A local nonprofit is helping the unhoused in the Hub City with the distribution of what they’re calling “dignity bags.”

Care Connections 731, in partnership with Hub City Hemp, handed out the dignity bags in downtown Jackson from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday.

In the bags were personal hygiene items, socks, snacks, and other items that help restore a sense of dignity to those often overlooked.

Care Connections 731 is a nonprofit organization built on the belief that everyone deserves to feel supported, valued, and empowered regardless of their circumstances.

“So this is our first dignity bag giveaway, but we host community events where we get together and anyone can volunteer,” said Mandy Woodard, Founder of Care Connections 731.  “And we’ll build the kits, and then we’ll set up an event like this in Jackson and be able to hand out… we did something similar with the Selmer tornado victims.”

Also at the event was free onsite opioid overdose reversal training, along with Narcan kits. The homeless population is among those at most risk of becoming addicted. Giving access to Narcan will hopefully make an impact in lowering the amount of overdose deaths in the homeless community.

“So we asked the regional overdose prevention specialist to come out and be with us, because this is a high risk community, and we wanted to do free onsite training and give away the free Narcan for everybody,” Woodard said.

To support Care Connections, you can click here for information on making monetary donations, or click here to view their Amazon wishlist.

The next dignity bag giveaway will be July 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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