Jackson Free Press

Beer—it's the answer to many of life's problems, Homer Simpson famously opined.

The truth of Homer's sentiment will be on full display this weekend as three beer-related organizations help to raise money to keep two of Stewpot Community Services' vital ministries open.

Stewpot—a charity that provides food, shelter and other programs to the poor—recently announced that the organization would have to temporarily close its Opportunity Center and Sims House, a transitional shelter for women and their children.

Stewpot's financial struggles go back to last winter, when someone sent a change of address notice for Stewpot to the U.S. Postal Service, redirecting the charity organization's mail to a vacant house in south Jackson from Nov. 27 to Dec. 15. The scheme cost Stewpot more than $100,000.

When Stewpot announced the closures, three organizations involved with Jackson's annual Top of the Hops Beer Fest—Hal & Mal's, Raise Your Pints and Capital City Beverages Inc.—thought the high-profile event could help Stewpot.

"There's a lot of hungry people in Jackson. It was a no-brainer," said P.J. Lee, general manager and chef at Hal & Mal's, which will feature food and beer specials.

Through the weekend, Hal & Mal's will match donations from patrons who donate to Stewpot, Lee said. Hal & Mal's will also donate food to Stewpot to help them get through the weekend.

People will also be able to donate at the Top of the Hops event, taking place at the Jackson Convention Complex Saturday, July 27.

Brian Drennan, sales director at Capital City Beverages, said his company plans to make a donation and will raffle art from Belgium beer maker Saison Dupont along with a keg of beer. The raffle will take place at 6 p.m. this evening, July 23, at Hal & Mal's.

"We're just going to try to raise as much money as possible," Drennan said.

The U.S. Postal Inspector's Office is still investigating the change-of-address case that cost Stewpot so much. A phone call placed to the inspector's office this morning was not returned before publication.

For more information about Stewpot, including ways to contribute, visit www.stewpot.org or call 601-353-2759. For more information about Top of the Hops, visit www.topofthehopsbeerfest.com.