Jackson Free Press

Every donation counts. No matter how much you have to give, the donations of everyday people like you and me make a difference in the lives of others. Have you ever wondered how your $5, $10 or $100 donation has made a tangible impact in someone's lives? Maybe you have been hesitant to give because you didn't know where your money would go. Here are just a handful of the many non-profits in the Jackson metro area that shared with us where your money goes.

Baptist Health Foundation-Cancer Services Fund
1225 N. State St.
601-968-1489
http://www.mbhs.org/foundation

Services: Provides a home-away-from-home through their Family Lodge, plus care, community outreach, appearance needs (hats, scarves and wigs), research and transportation for cancer patients.

Fact: 100 percent of all donations go toward your intended purpose; no donated money is used for overhead or administrative costs.

Mississippi Food Network
P.O. Box 411, Jackson
601-353-7286
http://www.msfoodnet.org

Services: Distributes donated and purchased food to help alleviate poverty-related hunger.

Fact: Every $1 donation provides up to seven meals.

Mississippi Animal Rescue League
5221 Greenway Drive
601-969-1631
http://www.msarl.org

Services: MARL is an open-door animal shelter. It provides adoption, care and low-cost spaying and neutering.

Fact: In 2008, MARL took in over 16,000 animals at a cost of over $800,000. A $50 donation pays for the care of one animal for a year.

Stewpot Community Services
1100 W. Capitol St.
601-353-2759
http://www.stewpot.org

Services: Provides food, clothing, shelter, and care to children, elderly, disabled and poor persons.

Fact: A $5 donation will buy the non-donated portion of 10 meals or two weeks of school supplies for an after-school program or shelter child; $25 will provide 17 trips on public transportation for someone to get to work; $50 will purchase school uniforms for a child for a whole year.

Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi
P.O. Box 3194, Jackson
601-969-7088
http://www.bgccm.net

Services: Operates six clubs in the area and a camp facility near Hazlehurst, provide low-cost after-school and summer care for children. Includes daily snacks and use of

books, educational materials, computers, art supplies and sports equipment.

Fact: They charge members only $25 per year, but it costs about $500 per year to provide services to one child.

Friends of Children's Hospital
Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children
2500 N. State St.
601-984-5273
http://www.foch.org

Services: Provides patient and family support and promotes the hospital, which is designed and equipped to care and treat sick and injured children.

Fact: A gift of $5 or $10 can help purchase new toys for their activity rooms for patients, and a $25 donation would help families while their child is hospitalized.

Rise Above for Youth
2389 N. Midway Road, Clinton
601-922-4968
http://www.riseabove4youth.org

Services: A new organization serving emancipated foster and homeless youth. Two sub-groups will include LGBT youth and pregnant and parenting teens. Services will include housing, living skills training, guidance counseling, case management and mentoring.

Fact: 100 percent of donations go toward the startup costs for this program.

Latte Ladies/Mocha Moms
P.O. Box 1692, Jackson
601-624-8779
http://www.latteandmocha.com

Services: A mentoring and support program for pregnant or parenting teens, ages 12 to 18, and their children.

Fact: Each teen is required to complete a Wish List upon admission to the program consisting of educational needs and household needs. A $5 donation buys school supplies for the parents or an alarm clock.

Parents for Public Schools
200 N. Congress St., Suite 500
800-880-1222 or 601-969-6936
http://www.parents4publicschools.com

Services: They organize and train parents to advocate for their children and hold districts accountable for results. PPS encourages parents to become involved.
Fact: A $5 donation helps buy art supplies for students; a $25 donation helps a parent implement a school improvement project in his/her child's school and $50 donation helps bring artists into schools to teach.

Common Bond Association
Corporate Office
836 Medical Plaza
601-371-6851
http://www.commonbondassociation.org

Services: A faith based, non-profit that provides affordable alcohol and drug treatment for men. Includes food, housing, life skills training, counseling and transition to independent living.

Fact: A $5 donation will pay for three meals a day for three clients; a $25 donation will pay for linens for two beds; a $50 donation will pay the fuel cost to transport 15 clients to and from work for two days, $150 will support a client for a week and $750 provide a scholarship for a primary client for 28 days of treatment.

Dress for Success Metro Jackson
2519 Robinson Street
601-985-9888
http://www.dressforsuccess.org/metrojackson

Service: Provides professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help disadvantaged women.

Fact: Sixty-five percent of all donations go toward programs. A donation of $5 can pay to dry clean an interview suit; $10 can pay for resume paper; $20 can purchase interview shoes; $40 can purchase a suit for a plus size woman and $100 can purchase food for about 25 women to attend the Professional Women's Group.

Non-profits, go add your information and needs at http://www.jackpedia.com.