MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. — It's the season of giving all year long for one non-profit in Marshall County.
The Caring Heart Outreach, a non-profit based out of Arab, is helping to lighten financial burdens this Christmas and beyond.
"There are stories everyday that humble us and bring us to tears." shared Felicia Jones, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Caring Heart Outreach.
Felicia alongside her husband, David Jones, founded the outreach in 2020.
"It was originally just going to be a thrift store that helps fund a domestic violence shelter and the homeless ministries," Jones said, "We realized really quick that we can make a bigger difference, and we started the pantry for the teenagers within the first three months of the pantry being open, we had well over 100 teens from four different counties."
The outreach doesn't just help teens and kids. It's expanding services to better serve seniors through a new community center and another food pantry. In fact, a new food pantry is in the works that has a history of giving back.
"...it was a wonderful home that some people built in the sixties and they lived their entire lives there. Everybody in the community knows them. They had multiple--over 30 kids come through the home as foster kids over the years. And when they passed away, they put it up for sale and it just felt like that was what we were supposed to do, was to help continue legacies and give everybody a chance to be able to give back and leave a part of a legacy."
The Caring Heart Outreach helps those facing homelessness, domestic abuse, and teens in need. Co-founder David Jones shares that the outreach provides more than just food and clothing -- they also provide hope and a little bit of magic.
"There was a dad who was there at our event and he had four small children and they were able to come in and pick out a little something for him and his mother, their grandmother, to wrap up, put under the tree, and he was in tears. He was absolutely in tears. He said that they didn't have a lot of money. They don't get to do a lot of things for the holidays," David Jones shared, "He said that the best part about it was watching them go through the area to pick out a little gift for him and for their grandmother and just seeing the smile on their face and just the light in their eyes. He said that little bit of Christmas magic was so special to him."
Felicia Jones says the outreach provides a place for everyone to help their neighbor out -- one donation at a time.
"A lot of people feel that they don't have a lot to contribute and everybody can contribute something," she said, "And if we provide the place for them to come and do that, then they will be able to leave a legacy where they didn't think they could."
If you have a heart to give, but can't do it in person, the Caring Heart Outreach excepts online donations. You can find out how to donate on their website.