CHAIN sign on wall at The Courier office
BENTON, Ark (KTHV)--One group of citizens in Benton saw a need to reach out to those neighbors who sometimes "fall through the cracks" when it comes to financial aid.
Rent. Utilities. Gas. Everyday expenses take their toll on everybody--some more than others. When they all hit at once--the burden is even bigger.
CHAIN (Courier Helping Anyone In Need) began in 2009 when employees at "The Saline Courier" came together and have since helped families with rent, bills, car repairs and more.
Jimmy Mitchell, youth minister at Northside Church of Christ in Benton is a member of CHAIN. He says the founders came together, saying "Let's get something together. Get a whole group of people together! People that are leaders in the community. People that work with those who are in need. Ministers...and let's talk about how we can help people in Saline County!"
CHAIN founder and Courier publisher Terry Leifeste says they've bought medicine, filled up gas tanks--even helped a single dad light up his Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
There's a maximum, per each family, of $300 per family, each year. They've had a few fundraisers, but in the end absorb any overhead.
Linked together with one common cause. Mitchell says, "We need to love our neighbor, and that means everybody that we come in contact with. With everything we have."
Sunday, February 12th they will have a chili/soup cook-off and auction to raise funds. It will be held at the Northside Church of Christ building in Benton. The Harding University Chorus will also present a concert.
Sunday, February 12th they will have a chili/soup cook-off and auction to raise funds. It will be held at the building in Benton. The will also present a concert.
The event Sunday is from 11:30-2:00 at the Northside Church of Christ's gym on East St. in Benton. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (under 6 years old are free)
100% of the proceeds of the cook-off go to help recipients helped through CHAIN.