Dumas REDI Program Passes $700,000 Mark in Food Distribution… Announces Holiday Food Distribution Schedule and Fundraising Drive to End the Year
O ‘Give’ Thanks is the uplifting chant that the Dumas REDI— Rural Economic Development Innovation team is sending up to God and around Dumas, Desha and SEARK during the next few weeks. Currently, over $700,000 in food distribution and over $200,000 in operations has been invested to keep the program operational. The key observations here is that the program through grants supplying the food has brought in much support. But the funding the underwrite the operations has been left greatly unattended. The volunteer efforts and minimum funding has the program partners doing the majority of operations alone.
“We are encouraging people to ‘give’ and support our efforts. This work challenging but it is helping to provide many blessings to the people of Dumas and SEARK. Many communities do not have the programs that we are operating. We are blessed to have received the grants and program services from USDA, and other program partners and persons who help make this happen. The good news is during the pandemic, we have not missed one monthly distribution, rain or shine, cold or hot. We need and desire people to know that we love to assist and yes, we love support and can greatly benefit from donations and contributions. We thank everyone and every program that has contributed to providing funding,” stated the organizers.
The College of Aspiring Artists, ASC Property Management, City PRIDE and The Legacy Center in West Dumas are the key presenting partners of the program and for several years they have lead a strong program in providing food distribution, key programs to include; “Thanks For Giving,” INnovation Days, Health and Education programs with medical doctor and COVID testing and much more.
The work has been from three key locations in Dumas to include THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas, ASC Property Management and the Dumas Community Center. Distributions from Dumas have been across the state reaching cities in multiple counties.
During the next few weeks beginning November 29, with a food distribution from ASC Property Management located at 710 Meador Drive, fundraising will begin to assist the program partners in closing out 2021 and prepping for 2022 operations. The goal is to raise a minimum of $100,000 by the end of the year to keep the programs moving forward.
Beyond INnovation Day 2021 held at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas where the start of the pitches for innovative ideas for Dumas took place. Persons who have ‘new ideas’ will have more opportunities pitch them in the ‘INnovation Tank’ and best ideas will be advanced to a final round in January for cash prizes and scholarships and will go before the Dumas city council in a program called ‘INnovate Dumas’ from REDI and The College of Aspiring Artists. It’s a challenging appeal to the city and to other funders to release funding for innovative programs for Dumas but new dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information or to donate, please call 870.501.0356, 870.866.6666, or email: allofdumasunited@gmail.com
