JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – There’s no better way to make a difference in a community than to provide something that the majority needs.
A variety of canned goods, and other food needed for a good meal were all loaded in 70 different boxes for the city of Cotton Plant.
The donation is something that senior pastor of Emmanuel Covenant Community Church, Berlinda Helms takes pride in doing.
“You don’t have to have a lot of people to make a difference you just have a few dedicated ones,” Helms said.
In this case, companies like Walmart, Tyson, Mattel, and the people of Jacksonville all stepped in to make this food give away possible.
Helms said after finding out Cotton Plant had one of the highest poverty rates amongst children, she began her mission to make a difference.
“When you make a difference in the life of a child it affects generations, and we are a generational church,” Helms said.
She said this is their second year going to Cotton Plant, and despite the heartening issue of poverty that affects the city, she’s instilling hope in the people of the town.
“I was raised by a single mom on welfare with 4 siblings,” Helms said. “We made it and you’re going to make it too, and that’s what I want to encourage everybody to know.”
She says she looks forward to going back next year and the goal is to donate more than they were able to give this year.