In December 1989, Petal residents Demaris Lee and Jessie Rowell decided they wanted to help a couple of families enjoy their Christmas holidays. So, they asked a few people for some money and spent it on food and toys.
It was simple. They decided they wanted to make a difference in someone’s lives.
That was 30 years ago, and it was the start of the Petal Children’s Task Force. On Thursday, Dec. 13, the Task Force will celebrate its anniversary with an open house from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 314 S. George St. in Petal. Special remarks will be made at 12:15 p.m.
Lee said the Task Force has been so blessed to help the community for the past 30 years.
Demaris Lee
“It's getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “It's been wonderful, that’s all I can say. God has really blessed us.”
Lee said the Task Force did have humble beginnings.
“It all started with two families needing help at Christmas with food and with toys for their children,” she said. “We got together and Jessie said, ‘Well, what we can do about it?’ I said, ‘Yes, we’re going to ask some friends and we’re going to go get them something.’ That's how it started. I asked some friends for some money, they gave me money, we put it in a pile and we went and got them a food box and got them some toys.”
In 1990, they received their first donation, $500 from the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. This was soon followed by several other donations from Petal businesses. “About 1995, it was not really big, but we really felt that we needed to be a nonprofit,” Lee said.
Rowell passed away in early 2010, but the Task Force continues to serve the people of Petal in honor of Jessie and the work that she and Lee began.
Lee said the food distribution has exploded.
“Last month, we gave out about 458 meals a month, and that doesn’t include about another 50 homeless people that came in,” she said. “For Thanksgiving, we gave out about 250 dinners.”
Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce, said she realizes people still go to bed hungry.
“Wouldn't it be lovely if there was no more need,” she said, “but unfortunately between families and the homeless it's ever increasing. Even at the Task Force originally we did a lot of collecting toys for the children, but it got to the point where you know what's more important in getting toys or food. Luckily, there other groups that are handling the toys, so we are now concentrating on absolute necessities.”
Lee said Task Force plays an important role in the community.
“If we didn't have the program, what would people do?” she said. “We serve the Petal School District, but if there are hungry people, we don't want anyone to go hungry. That's the heartbreaking part of it because there's still people out there that you know won’t have a meal tonight.”
The Petal Children’s Task Force’s effect on the townspeople has been unfathomable. In 30 years, the number of meals that the group has served is astronomical.
“When we started, Petal was much smaller and unfortunately the needs keep growing,” Wilson said. “We're very proud that we're still up and running. I hope that this indicates when you're trying to find a place to donate to and contribute to, you want to know that it's an established program with people in place to run it, it's been successful and your money is being handled well.”
Wilson said although the Task Force has had lean time, it always managed to endure and prevail.
“Somehow the Lord always provides and next thing you know we're still in business or so ago,” she said. “Yet, as always the need is there.”
Wilson said the Task Force takes all donations, but can do more with cash.
“We appreciate people pouring in with canned goods and food,” she said. “Through our resources, we can do a whole lot more with that same amount of money they spent on that. We can buy a lot more than they can with those same dollars, so really cash turns out to be the most valuable thing we can get.”
The Petal Children's Task Force offers many services including, but not limited to, food assistance, school uniforms, utility assistance, and Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes.
For more information, call 601.255.5578 or visit petalchildrenstaskforce.org.