In response to the Covid 19 Pandemic, Governor Asa Hutchinson had created the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding is offered to low-income communities throughout Arkansas that has been impacted due to COVID-19, with High Poverty and Significant Minority Populations.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) had funds to provide for a one-time funding for organizations that serve the most vulnerable Arkansans through the CARES ACT.
“Osceola Goodfellows” organization met the criteria for these funds. Steve Choals, President, Ed Richardson, Officer and Secetary, and Cindy Leonard with City Hall, worked to provide the Organization with a grant of $15,000.
Osceola Goodfellas, mission and vision that aligns with advancing equity and addressing the needs of the community, and have demonstrated a history of service and leadership since 1946.
Osceola Goodfellows, primary purpose is to provide food at no cost to low income household during Christmas and Easter holidays, usually through fundraising and donations to families in need.
In 1946, Osceola Goodfellows started as a community organization, it has since been Incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, dedicated to needs of low- moderate income families of in Osceola, Mississippi County.
Struggling families have turned to Osceola Goodfellows since 1946, for their holiday dinners. Each year approximately 400 Christmas dinners are distributed and 300 Easter dinners. However, with the Cares Act grant, Osceola can distribute approximately 200 extra dinners.
If the family has a vehicle, the organization will have a line set up with a destinated person to come by a location to receive the necessary boxes for that family, this year, the location was at the Rosenwald Center.
If a family does not have a vehicle, then a member of the organization will drop off the necessary boxes to the address of that family.
This year, the supply of needed dinners has increased, due to Covid-19 and there are more families and individuals without jobs or lack of. With the thanks to the Cares Act Grant, Osceola Goodfellows can distribute approximately 200 extra dinners, with each family receiving, a ham and a chicken.