Business owner steps up to help Salvation Army continue distributions
JACKSON, Tenn. — In the midst of uncertainty, hope has arrived for one local food distribution.
“My goal is to serve until we have nothing,” said Captain Larisha Richardson, Corps Officer & Pastor, Salvation Army of Jackson.
The Salvation Army of Jackson received a major food donation, and they say it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Amid the SNAP delay crisis, local food banks have been experiencing an overwhelming surge in assistance requests.
“Most of the time, we average about 80-85 [families], but since the close down of the SNAP benefits, we actually hit almost 284 families one time,” said Richardson.
A local business owner in Bells saw the strain on resources The Salvation Army was facing and decided to help in a big way.
“When he said, ‘Oh I have a little surplus, I’m thinking maybe a couple of boxes or a pallet.’ So he showed up with one, then he showed up with five more pallets, and he’s like, ‘Well as long as you have room, we’ll keep giving,’ and it’s just truly worked out for the blessing of the community,” Richardson said.
William Saveh, owner of Olympic Steakhouse, donated more than $50,000 worth of food.
Captain Will Richardson with The Salvation Army says “These donations didn’t just refill their shelves–they restored hope to hundreds of families.”
“I am truly thankful that how he allowed his self to be used here and be a light in the community,” Capt. Larisha Richardson said. “He has no idea how many people he’d helped during this hard time that literally, they were down to nothing.”
Due to Saveh’s generosity, the food pantry has resumed its weekly food distributions to support those who temporarily lost access to SNAP benefits.
“I’ve been seeing so many more seniors. It’s really sad. For some of them who only get 50 or 60 dollars a month, and they’re saying they only received 12 dollars. 12 dollars is not enough to live on,” said Richardson.
The Salvation Army of Jackson extends its heartfelt thanks to William Saveh and Olympic Steakhouse for their extraordinary donation.
The Salvation Army of Jackson holds its weekly food distribution every thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 125 Allen Avenue.
Click here to learn more about The Salvation Army of Jackson.
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