Category Archives: Services

Free Food Transfer Hub for the Homeless

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by Yu Bai
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO — About 48,000 homeless people live in Arkansas: 8.5% of them are veterans and 20% of them have a serious mental illness. People who suffer homelessness are also struggling with a serious problem: hunger.

Many factors are contributing to this problem. Homeless people in the age group of 60 to 65 in Arkansas are mostly African-American or Hispanic and they lack transportation to the food vendors, so they are more susceptible to food deprivation.

“I don’t think there is anything that directly contributes to homelessness other than the circle of poverty. People cannot buy food without money. The most difficult problem I have to face is about getting fresh food,” said Vonte Benjamin, who has been homeless since 2018.

Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas started in Jonesboro in November 2012. This organization distributes food to people in need through nonprofit agencies and networks.

“We are a member of Feeding America. We have served more than 30 million pounds of food to homeless and the poor since we established,” Corporate Partnerships coordinator Amber Horton said.

Living in an agricultural state, FBNA makes every effort to ensure it provides the freshest and safest food. Local and national manufacturers, retailers and growers supply the food sources. Otherwise, people who work in the Department of Food Security will destroy other unidentified food.

Benjamin said the place he has been living has no kitchen to cook in so he went to the food bank to find fresh food.

The organization runs its work with a mature industrial chain. It distributes four-to-five kinds of food to 20 locations in 12 different counties each year. People must check a schedule list before they go to the designated location to get food.

Homeless people have a chance to get an emergency box that includes sufficient food once a year. It is the only special program requiring them to show their identification.

“In recent years, we provided about 2.5 million pounds of fresh produce through the support from grower partners; it’s equivalent to 62 tractor-trailers’ load capacity,” said Jennifer Hannah, FBNA outreach coordinator.

Competition and Cooperation with Arkansas Foodbank

As the distribution center, FBNA works with more than 100 organizations, including the Arkansas Foodbank, which located in Little Rock.

The Arkansas Foodbank started in January 1984, and it is the foundation in the fight against hunger. It forms an important food hub with FBNA for providing fresh food supplies to nearly 34,000 people in 12 counties.

These organizations feature the same programs, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters for homeless people.

Compared with FBNA, the Arkansas Foodbank can access other partner organizations in big cities such as Houston, Texas because of its central location.

“Both of our food banks play a special role as warehousing and distribution facility, and it is more in the sense of complements rather than competes,” FBNA Compliance and Facilities manager Jeff Fielder said.

However, there is a program unique to the Arkansas Foodbank — it has a partnership with the Arkansas Rice Depot.

Rice farmers in Arkansas realized they had a surplus crop and many hungry neighbors in 1982. They tried to improve the lives of hungry Arkansans with the establishment of Arkansas Rice Depot.

Arkansas Foodbank depends on the food source of Rice Depot, and the Rice Depot needs the food bank as a shipment center to help it transport food to other places.

The food bank constantly is looking for better and more efficient ways to deliver much-needed food to people. It is a vital organization to help solve the food shortage and security problems of the homeless.

Horseback Riding Provides Therapy for Disabilities

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by Ana Baquero
Delta Digital News Service

Jennifer Warzocha (l.) and Audrey Ganong (r.) help patient Ashlynn Holt ride a horse. Courtesy of Diego Ranch

JONESBORO — Diego Ranch, a nonprofit organization, provides services to people with physical and developmental challenges in the form of therapeutic horseback training.

The ranch provides “the fastest growing and proven” form of therapy — equine assisted therapy — with the goal of  helping people with disabilities feel forms of comfort through bonding with animals. Although it isn’t the only ranch in Arkansas offering such services, it is the only one in Jonesboro.

Leigh-Ann Walton, a parent of a student who attends courses at Diego Ranch, described how the ranch helps her child.

“I work with kids who have lots of special needs and just the fact that the students here can have independence with the animals just means so much to all ages of kids,” Walton said.

People with all forms of disabilities can come to the ranch to pet and walk a variety of animals such as horses, ponies and goats. Only horses can be ridden at Diego Ranch.

The instructor teaches the mannerisms of different animals and helps the students understand how to best handle the different animals. The main purpose of the ranch is to allow students to gain skills and live a normal life by providing them therapy with the comfort of being around and getting a chance to bond with animals. The average time a student spends in a class is about an hour and the price per session is $35.

Students who are beginners start their classes by attending a meeting, after which they learn how to interact with animals. The ranch also has a simulator that teaches students to learn how to ride a horse in the future.

Michael Jackson, the owner and president of Diego Ranch Inc., founded the organization on Feb. 1, 2016. Jackson grew up in a time when people abused animals even when they were not doing anything wrong.

“Growing up in a situation where people didn’t treat horses and animals right made me think we shouldn’t be treating animals this way. I wanted to help people see that if you treat animals right, they will treat us right,” he said.

Jackson said he believes animals have a potential to understand by listening. He thinks it is not necessary to treat them badly.

Michael Jackson and student Kat Walton

Diego Ranch owner Michael Jackson and student Kat Walton groom a Shetland pony. (photo by Ana Baquero)

Kat Walton, a student from Diego Ranch, has found services at the ranch to be helpful to her directly.

“Diego Ranch helps me learn more about animals and allows me to work with them,” Walton said.

About 200 students come to the ranch for therapy each year. While students are free to come throughout the week, events usually are scheduled on weekends. Many people with disabilities who have experienced what Diego Ranch has to offer have said even though they have a disability they feel like they are able to feel like everyone else.

Diego Ranch is located at 4324 County Road 745 in Jonesboro.

If you are interested in knowing more about Diego Ranch and what they provide, visit their Facebook page “Diego Ranch.”

Featured photo courtesy of Diego Ranch

Coalition Helps Immigrants Achieve Citizenship

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by Ana Maria Baquero
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Arkansas United exists to help immigrants become United States citizens.

The foundation abides by Arkansas’ immigration laws and rules while providing advocacy and services. It helps communities by giving immigrants the best opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

David Nuñez, a member of the Jonesboro chapter, has helped many people become legal citizens in the United States. He wants immigrant voices to be heard.

“The main goal of this organization is to empower the community and the immigrants, also to engage and bring the community together, all immigrants, not just Latinos,” Nuñez said.  

Sebastian Rodriguez, an immigrant who lives in Jonesboro, has made strides to gain citizenship.

“I haven’t seen my mother in 23 years and my biggest goal right now is to get the correct documentation to become legal and go back to Mexico and see her,” Rodriguez said.

Arkansas United member Juan Manuel Saldaña received his U.S. citizenship in 2016. He said he feels he has gained many benefits from being affiliated with Arkansas United.

“I am glad I got the documentation because of the help of my friend David Nuñez, and I want it to make it real for Sebastian as well,” Saldaña said. “It’s very important for me to have this documentation because at the time of driving my car I was always afraid a police officer would stop me and ask for my driver’s license which I did not have.”

Services provided by the organization include family-based legal services, adult education and immigrant resource centers. The program started in 2010.

‘Souper Sunday’ benefits Habitat for Humanity

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by Ana Maria Baquero
Delta Digital News Service

Jonesboro — Habitat for Humanity raised more than $20,000 at the ninth annual “Souper Sunday” event Nov. 4.

During the event, more than 350 people tried 21 different soups from 20 area restaurants and participated in a silent auction hosted by The Hilton Garden Inn. Honey Baked Ham took bragging rights with its Ham and Bean soup.

Micheal Sullivan, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro, said he believes the event was a success.

“Events like Souper Sunday make it possible for us to build up our local community while helping those who need it most,” Sullivan said.

Mari Shelton, chair for Habitat for Humanity’s developmental committee, encourages people to come to future events like this so the community can benefit from it in the future.

“All the money raised from this event remains in Northeast Arkansas and it allows Habitat to build more homes in the area,” Shelton said.

Kandi Baker, director of sales at the Hilton Garden Inn, said the Inn also benefits from the event’s exposure.

Organizations Seek to Help Area Homeless

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By Kimberely Blackburn
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – With many of the Delta’s residents living without a home, area organizations assist in putting lives back together.

After being homeless for seven years, Travis Howard said he doesn’t like living on the streets. He said his parents raised him to live better than he currently does.

“My momma told me one time: ‘Before I die, I want to see you get better,'” Howard said. “(She said) I know it’s in you.”

The grandfather of three boys began coming to Jonesboro’s Helping Underserved Belong after its opening. The HUB assisted Howard in getting his birth certificate and insurance to help him find his way back from living on the streets.

Howard’s journey to homelessness began after he worked for many years in various jobs, including an assistant manager position. He said he attended two years of college and still likes to try and keep his mind sharp. He goes to the public library every day, reading newspapers.

Untreated physical and mental problems caused his downward spiral. He said he began drinking alcohol at the age of 13, but no one tried to get him into an alcohol-treatment program until he came to the HUB. Howard said he doesn’t blame others for his situation, he knows he can do better … but he needs help. Many, he said, don’t want to help, they just want to lock him up.

Providing Help

Kimberly Bartee, director of the HUB, said she hears stories similar to Howard’s too often. Many need help after a single event caused their lives to spiral out of control. She said after the HUB volunteers grow to know their guests as people, they begin to understand what needs to be done to truly help.

“They may have gone through drug rehab, but that was yesterday,” she said. “Who is that person today? Who do we want that person to be? Who does that person want to be?”

After being concerned with the homeless situation in Jonesboro, Mayor Harold Perrin created a task force in 2016 to determine how best to help. He said they created Jonesboro’s HUB after visiting a similar facility in Memphis. Perrin said while he plans to take the program further and build a shelter, more can be done now.

Hoping to help area panhandlers, Perrin said he authorized city employees to assist the homeless in finding work within the city organization. Finding a way to put them back into society will help them to help themselves, he said.

Director of Community Involvement Tiffny Calloway said Jonesboro receives Community Development Block Grant Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant provides funding to aid in issues low-to-moderate income families face in their daily lives. She said the city allocated part of the funding to help Jonesboro’s homeless. These funds help fund the HUB and provide transportation and other basic services.

Jonesboro also received the Continuum of Care grant to provide housing and utility assistance to eight individuals for a year. Calloway said the grant will pay 100 percent of the utilities for the first few months, 75 percent for the next few months and gradually decrease to help the recipients get on their feet and save money.

A Place to Stay

The HUB works with Mission Outreach in Paragould to provide emergency shelter for Jonesboro’s homeless. Program director Cheri Peters said they assist Northeast Arkansas and parts of Missouri in providing shelter for those who need it. The facility holds 58 individuals and they house men, women and families in separate dorms.

The philosophy of Mission Outreach seems similar to the HUB’s as they both seek to determine what each individual needs, and works with those in the community to provide services. Mission Outreach works with Families Inc. to provide counseling services and local government offices to find needed identification documents.

Peters said after an individual obtains an identification card, they must find employment within two weeks. Mission Outreach provides transportation to and from their work and each one must save 75 percent of their wages.

While not an emergency shelter, Jacob’s Place in Searcy assists area women and families needing help getting back on their feet. Melanie Kiihnl, program director, said Searcy Ministerial Alliance established the shelter after a Searcy High School student did a study on the homeless situation in the area. The 2007 study found 80 homeless families in White County.

Jacob’s Place houses up to 15 individuals and those seeking shelter must submit to a criminal background check and drug screen. Kiihnl said they try to work with other area programs to assist when an individual fails either test. She said they often work with Wilbur D. Mills drug-treatment facility when one fails a drug screen.

Those staying in Jacob’s Place must obtain a job and save 40 percent of their wages.

Both Mission Outreach and Jacob’s Place enforce strict rules and regulations upon those staying at their shelters. All must do chores and be inside the facility by curfew. Mission Outreach’s doors lock at 9 p.m., and Jacob’s Place residents must be back by 10 p.m. Peters said the rules help to maintain order and maintain relationships with other families living near the facility.

While Jonesboro officials currently search for a place to establish a homeless shelter, Perrin said he believes the citizens of Jonesboro will take care of the needs of their own.

Howard said he wished a shelter existed in Jonesboro. He said it’s difficult to get and keep employment when one cannot keep up with personal hygiene. He often attempts to clean up in area hospital bathrooms, but can only take what he calls “bird baths.”

Until the city completes a shelter, Bartee said HUB volunteers will continue to help those in need, whatever their situation.

“To the druggie on the street who has a habit that they cannot beat, we’ve got resources for you,” she said. “To the person who just lost their house in a fire, we’ve got resources for you. To the grandparent who needs custody of their grandchildren or whatever they should need, we’ve got resources for you.”

Listen to Howard’s full interview

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Editor’s Note: Featured photo by Jason Snyder [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Dog Park Awaits Donations

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By Katie Woodall
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Almost a year after plans for a dog park were unveiled, lack of funding still keeps the city from starting the groundwork.

Organizers presented plans for a dog park for Jonesboro at a late March 2016 meeting, after a group of citizens approached Mayor Harold Perrin and Parks and Recreation Director Wixon Huffstetler with the idea. The park will be located in Craighead Forest Park at Access 6 and be approximately 2 acres large. Huffstetler said the new park will cost nearly $150,000 to build and with no money in his budget for funding, donations for the project will be left up to the citizens.

“The city is going to donate the land. We’re going to do some site work, cutting down trees and getting the ground ready for grass and we’re doing the irrigation. Pretty much the grunt work for it,” Huffstetler said.

One concern voiced by Abby Landers, a local dog owner, remains the lack of awareness being raised for the park and its fundraising.

“I think they would have to put it right under the nose of the average citizen. I didn’t even know there were plans for a dog park at all,” Landers said.

While anyone may donate money, a citizen-led group of individuals has recently been talking with local businesses about sponsorships and major donations for the park. Gary Johnson, one of the citizens involved in talking with local businesses, said they hope to hear back from businesses soon.

Although getting the donations for the park is being left to the citizens, Huffstetler said raising the money can be done quickly.

“This town is so giving with projects like this. Personally, I think they can get the money raised by the middle of summer. We might be able to start the project this year,” Huffstetler said.

For more information on the dog park plans, visit www.jonesboro.org/449/Dog-Park-Information.

(NOTE: Graphic rendering courtesy of the Jonesboro Parks and Recreations Department)

NEA Humane Society Helps the Community

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by Kimberely Blackburn
Delta Digital News Service

Jonesboro, Ark. – The Northeast Arkansas Humane Society strives to help the Jonesboro community with its pet ownership. In addition to taking in unloved…

Continue reading at: NEA Humane Society Helps the Community

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