Reduce, Reuse, Rehome: Ellen Bennett and the RIFA Auction Group

Since 2020, Ellen Bennett has served as the Online Sales Manager of Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) and is widely known in the Jackson community for her item listings in the RIFA Auction Group on Facebook. Twice a month, she conducts an online auction with around 80 unique items — all previously donated to the organization — for the public to bid on throughout the week. The proceeds of every auction item go to RIFA, a Jackson-based nonprofit with a mission to fight hunger locally, so item winners get to help provide meals to food-insecure members of the community with their purchases. For each listing, whether it’s a mid-century lamp, a tricycle, or a vegetable chopper, she comes up with a compelling description that’ll have anyone hooked.

Stories, Local, Local BusinessCourtney SearcyApril 7, 2023RIFA, thrifting, jackson tn, local business

Aging in Place

Habitat for Humanity Jackson, TN Area, Inc. (Habitat Jackson) has been working to improve the Jackson community since 1986. Known for serving low-income individuals and families by constructing affordable housing solutions, Habitat Jackson continues to expand its impact through the Aging in Place program.

Stories, LocalGuest ContributorDecember 2, 2022Habitat for Humanity, Aging in Place, jackson tn

A House Built With Many Hands

A Jackson Police Department officer stares into the face of a woman working as a prostitute; his only option was to arrest her. He had no evidence or proof to arrest the man who was likely her trafficker. But where would the officer take her? Years later, this same officer would write a check to the Scarlet Rope Project, a home for survivors of sex trafficking.

Developing a Downtown Arts District

Stories, Art, LocalGuest ContributorMay 25, 2022downtown Jackson, Jackson Arts Council, public art, murals, art, Vol 8 Issue 1

Caring Enough to Empower: Sabrina Blue

Sabrina Blue was certainly no different. When I arrived in her office on the second floor of the Helping Hands of Tennessee clinic, I watched as she, quite literally, sped around the space outlining changes and additions to a contractor who was doing his best to keep up. I would later understand this to be a metaphor of how she lives her life — fast, measured, with purpose.

Stories, Local, Local BusinessGuest UserJanuary 1, 2022Sabrina blue, helping hands of tennessee, local business