LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — According to the Arkansas Community Foundation, nationally there has been a downward trend of charitable giving and it's had a big impact on non-profits because they rely on donations every year.
"Arkansas nonprofits in rural areas, small communities, that whoever can step up and give because they're getting hit really hard right now," said Chief of Communications at the Arkansas Community Foundation, Jessica Ford.
Arkansans have gone through a lot, whether it was surviving a natural disaster, inflation, or a pandemic, and through it all, Ford said the generosity never left but more is still needed.
"It's the holiday season, and whether it's food, utilities, medicine, health, there's just a lot of demand right now, because of the economy and the cost of living. So we hope that during this time of year, those that are able to give will, that they'll dig deep like they always do and choose a favorite charity or cause and make a donation," Ford said.
She said non-profits are not always seeking canned goods and clothes are a big help but they also are in need of monetary donations.
"During this time of year, food pantries are often hit the hardest and have the highest demand and people tend to want to give food to food pantries, which is great, and they should, but a food pantry can typically buy food at wholesale prices. So if you can make a monetary donation to a food pantry, they can make $1 stretch much further and they're really seeing a lot of demand right now," Ford explained.
For non-profits like the Union Rescue Nehemiah House in Little Rock, Thanksgiving day is a prime example of where one donation can get you.
"To go from a life of just waking up every day, not caring if I died, to living the best life that I've ever lived I'm just so so grateful and thankful. You know, and the fortunate thing about my life today is it doesn't take just Thanksgiving day to be thankful, I'm thankful every day that I wake up now," Justin Roberson said.
Roberson is a graduate of the Nehemiah House and he explained how being addicted to drugs for 20 years to now being two years sober is a blessing that not only Nehemiah House provided but also the charitable donations of the community and local churches.
"I remember being in their shoes and used to think that you know, when I would see people that are in the shoes that I'm in now, I would think you know, like, it's impossible to get there. But with a little belief in yourself, putting God first, and trusting in the Lord and in doing what they asked you to do. [You can] make life changes here at Nehemiah House," Roberson said.
Director of Residential Client Services, Jeremy Burton, said he's been at Nehemiah House for 10 years and has seen firsthand the need out there of those seeking help.
"The need is greater than it ever has been and unfortunately it scares us that it's gonna get worse as time goes on. But we have to be the ones that are willing to step up and do something about it," Burton added.
He plays a crucial role in the survival of not only the organization but also persons who need help.
"We accept clothes, food, and money because we have utilities and stuff that obviously we have to pay but yeah, any of that stuff goes back into the program that way we can continue doing what we're doing and serving the community here in Central Arkansas," Burton said.
According to Ford, the Arkansas Community Foundation has a team of philanthropic advisors and donor services staff that are there to help point you in the right direction or give directly to your favorite nonprofit.