By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
Local volunteers have been out in force at the local markets collecting donations to help local families in need. The local non-profit group R.A.I.S.E. has mobilized to help the Salvation Army of Mesquite in these efforts.
On Saturday, July 17, R.A.I.S.E. President Carly Toutant and Mesquite City Councilwoman Sandra Ramaker, who is on the Board of R.A.I.S.E. were set up at Mesquite Walmart to collect donations for two Salvation Army initiatives..
The first is a program called “Meat for Mesquite.” Shoppers were encouraged to purchase a little extra in meat products and donate it to the cause to help the Salvation Army food pantry to stock its meat freezer. The R.A.I.S.E. display table was equipped with a large coller where meat purchases could be donated.
Last week, Toutant, Ramaker and R.A.I.S.E Secretary Sheila Gustaveson delivered more than 50 pounds of donated meats to the Salvation Army which had been collected in the drive.
In an interview with The Progress, Toutant explained that they were also accepting cash donations in the “Meat for Mesquite” drive. “Actually, the Salvation Army can purchase food at a deeply discounted price so cash donations actually provide more bang for the buck,” Toutant said.
Cash donations are accepted and checks may be made out to Mesquite Salvation Army.
The group was also collecting for the Salvation Army’s annual School Backpack and Supplies drive to help local families get kids back in school. Shoppers were encouraged to donate purchased backpacks and school supplies to this initiative.
“Members of our social media page have either brought in backpacks or had them sent directly to the local Salvation Army office,” Toutant said. But we are still 40 backpacks short from what is needed.”
Supplies to fill the backpack are also welcome. These supplies could include pencils, paper, crayons, notebooks, 3 ring binders, calculators, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, glue sticks, boxes of tissues and more.
The drive is expected to end on Wednesday, July 21 when all donations will be presented to the Salvation Army.
Volunteers will be collecting donations on Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday July 21 at Smith’s Market in Mesquite. They will be there from 7 am to 1 pm, and then again from 7-9 pm on both days.
R.A.I.S.E. Mesquite is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The name is an acronym which stands for Raising Awareness, Interest, Support and Engagement. Assisting the Salvation Army in its work is part of the group’s ongoing mission.
