By Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr.
CEO the College of Aspiring Artists
ceo@thecollegeofaspiringartists.education
Last year during the pandemic, THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas located at 501 West Bowles, recipient of the 2019 REDI— (Rural Economic Development Innovation Award) led a Dumas and SEARK Food Distribution of over $350,000 to thousands of persons from Dumas to Earle, Arkansas. Cities and townships of Pine Bluff, Winchester, Tillar, Gould, McGhee, Dermott, Watson, etc., were serviced. Individuals and families are receiving $60-$200+ per month in food supplies. This translates to monies that can go to rent, utilities, PPE supplies, medical and pharmacy bills, etc., saving individuals up to $1,200 per year. This is an economic impact and benefit.
On February 1, the Legacy Center was awarded a program partnership renewal for the 2021 GoFresh Distribution as well as distribution with the Arkansas Food Bank. The first distribution this year is set for February 18 from the center. Times and route will be announced next week here in the Clarion and on City Pride Dumas Face Book page.
Last year, thousands of fresh food boxes along with non-perishables were brought into Dumas for persons who wanted to get the items at no cost to them. The work was hard and put the team of workers at risk each time. No monies were provided outside of the resources from THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas. Monies have been requested money from the city of Dumas and the Desha County Quorum Court to no avail. The center is hopeful that greater support will come this year. The leaders state that it takes strong leadership, sacrifice and thousands of dollars to get this done. Volunteer labor and support was provided by ASC Property Management, The College of Aspiring Artists, City P.R.I.D.E., Positive Results in Dumas Everyday, along with regular volunteers from across the communities (whom stipends were provided), but for the entire food distribution, the money came from THE LEGACY CENTER. To be effective the center is reaching out and requesting an all of Dumas/Desha united effort to expand this meaningful outreach that promotes the leadership and strength of Dumas/Desha.
In addition, this year the center is prepping for the building of a new campus for the DAT—C, Digital Arts Technology College Network. A mini-campus that will revitalize new career pathways in technology, arts, and creative career pathways. The rendering shown on the website (link below) is a preview of what is to come. Ahead of the February distribution at the Legacy Center, the leaders are inviting and desiring community partners and stakeholders to assist in the following two areas. One, provide a contribution for monthly food distribution operations to cover, stipends, transportation costs, PPE, etc., which is a minimum of $1,200-$1,500. All amounts are welcomed. And two, provide a contribution and up to four workers from your company, ministry, institution, commission, etc. to be on site for the distribution for 3-5 hours during the monthly distributions.
To support, please contact Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356, allofdumasunited@gmail.com or Annette Cowen at 870.382.5141. To donate, see the vision, and sign-up visit: www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org
