More than 25,000 people seek assistance from Jackson House each year, but many in the community suffer in silence when it comes to having their most basic needs met, its director said Monday.
Janie Smith, Jackson House's executive director, said there are people in need every day in Hot Springs.
"Right next door someone could be hiding the fact that their water is turned off, there are only noodles for dinner, they are skipping medicine, no gas to go to work, no diapers or formula for the baby, no heat, no hope," she said. "This is true for one third of our population here. It can be your co-worker, your parishioner, your classmate, your teacher, your store checker; it can be anyone."
Annually, Jackson House provides more than 60,000 hot lunches six days a week -- something that would not be possible without the assistance of the community. However, Smith said she doesn't think the community truly realizes just how great the need is.
"We're always gaining new partnerships with restaurants, caterers, even nursing homes, who donate food," she said. "We take those partnerships and instead of offering a cold sandwich, we're able to heat up and serve a hot plate to those in need. And it's not just the homeless. It's families and the elderly who we provide those meals for each year."
With a high percentage of retirees living below the poverty level on low fixed incomes, these issues can be a fact of life for many seniors.
"They come to Jackson House for food, help with purchasing medicine, clothes and many other needs," Smith said. "They make up the third largest percentage of people asking for help."
The second largest group in need of assistance are those with disabilities, Smith said, with many of them on fixed incomes and living below the poverty level.
"Many first came to Hot Springs for the rehabilitation facility as well as the waters," she said. "They make up the second largest group needing assistance."
Families working in the largest local industry of tourism make up the largest percentage of people who need assistance.
"Low wages, the high costs of raising children, few if any work benefits, makes it difficult to withstand the high costs of living," Smith said. "Most struggle paycheck to paycheck. Any disaster, big or small, sends them into a tailspin. Over 5,000 working families ask for assistance from (Jackson House) annually."
Smith said the more than 25,000 people served by the Jackson House need assistance in ways the community can help.
"They need clothes, like the man who walked in in his pajamas, barefooted, after his home burned the other night," she said. "Today a single mother attending college needs food for her two children and help with a water bill. The elderly gentleman who had his money stolen because he doesn't trust the bank cannot buy his medicine for his high blood pressure, is yet another example of cases (Jackson House) sees every day."
There are more than 3,000 homeless people in the community on any given night that have needs, as well, she said.
"Women and children are the fastest growing members of that group," she said. "They need help and hope, strength and guidance, and support to help them rise above their plight.
"This is our community, our people, we see them every day. They suffer often in silence. We can make a difference, together. We cannot do so without you. Come by to see what we can do together. Donations are what we operate on. We do not seek federal or state assistance. What our community provides is what we have to help with."
Smith said oftentimes there are other organizations to open to help those in need in the community, but when they can't help, they send people to Jackson House for assistance.
Donations of food, clothes, household items, baby formula and diapers, and money help, she said. The organization cannot accomplish all that it does in the community without the support of the community.
"Every dollar counts to the recipient," she said. "Three to 10 items of food can be bought with a dollar at Jackson House. We are trying to solve these issues -- they are big -- but together the chances improve, and we can do this together."
Until Friday of this week, as well as Christmas Eve, Jackson House will be giving out toys to children in need, Smith said.
"We certainly want people to come by so we can share the generosity of the community," she said.
For more information on how to help, contact 501-623-4048, visit http://www.jacksonhouse.org or visit the organization at 705 Malvern Ave.
"We are 'A Place to Care and be Cared For,'" she said. "All donations are tax deductible."
Local on 12/18/2018