On Tuesday, August 6, Dining for Jackson will be working to help the children in the Jackson County Public Schools, with needed shoes, coats, and clothes. When I started Circles of Hope in Jackson County eleven years ago, there were 9000 people living in poverty. Based on recent census data, Jackson County has nearly 1 in 5 residents experiencing poverty. I know the number living in their cars has increased as well as has the number of homeless families. It is for this reason that we want to help children who need not only shoes and warm coats in the winter, but clothes all through the year.
I am told by H.E.R.E., Jackson County’s primary homeless services provider, that there are several children who are living unsheltered. This means they could be living in cars, barns, or tents or other non-permanent structures.
Jackson County Public Schools has what they call “comfort closets”. Located at each school, these closets provide access to much needed items in emergency situations. Last year the comfort closets were utilized 480 times, while providing support and intervention to homeless students and their families 199 times. These closets also contain hygiene items as well as snacks, and when needed, groceries for families. We want to provide additional funds so that these closets can be restocked before the beginning of this school year. We hope you will open your hearts and your purses to make restocking these closets possible. Monetary donations are preferred as used clothing and shoes cannot be accepted.
Children cannot learn when they are hungry and many have chosen not to attend school when they do not have decent clothes or shoes. Attending school when the weather is bad and not having adequate clothing and shoes is not something we want for the children. Research has shown that such poverty is associated with lower academic performance and that it negatively affects the development of their social and emotional competence that lasts well into adulthood.
Please plan to come and support Jackson County Public Schools on August 6, at 11:30 in the Mission and Fellowship Center at Sylva First Baptist Church in our effort to provide much needed clothes, shoes and coats for our children.
If you would like for your donation to be tax deductible, make you check to the Jackson County Education Foundation. Their website is jcpsef.org.