New Route for GoFresh USA Food Distribution—THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas

                                     

THE LEGACY CENTER Starts New Fall/Winter Drive-Thru Service This Thursday   

Now that the weather has changed, the Dumas REDI GoFresh Food Distribution takes on a new route back  to the main location at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas at 501 West Bowles Street. The distribution is set for Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the regular time of 1pm. The new route allows residents in Dumas and those who have been coming to Dumas from Watson, Star City, Gould, Mitchellville, Winchester, Tillar, Reed, McGehee, Dermott, etc., to continue to be served. The center has a pavilion/court that allows the 18-wheeler access to the back of the campus to load-in the food and for the residents to drive-through and have the food loaded in as done at our other location at ASC Property Management located behind Mad Butcher. During inclement weather, ‘the crew workers’ will not have to be in direct contact with precipitation/weather as they load in the food items. This route will direct cars coming from east on Bowles to come from south on Main from the industries. Thus, traffic will flow across the tracks with assistance from traffic officers helping to keep the track open for safe crossing. Once vehicles are loaded, they will continue west on Bowles and turn right on Cherry.

Thousands of families in Dumas and SEARK have been served fresh foods on a weekly basis during the past several months by Dumas leaders with the REDI, Rural Economic Development Innovation initiative.  This move will make it more comfortable to the crews that load-in the food.  They will be out of the elements.  Currently, resources to make improvements to include outdoor heaters and other necessities are appreciated. 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the leaders have not been paid, ‘but have paid out monies’ to keep the program moving. Going out in harm’s way to be sure that the distribution of $500,000 in food would not be turned away, the team has prevailed. As of October 15, over $325,000 (of the $500,000 total allocation) in food service has already been distributed by THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas.

The West Dumas Community Family Life Center (WDCFLC, now THE LEGACY CENTER) was one of  47 rural recipients that will receive technical assistance from 2020—2021 to help create and implement long-term economic development plans. The College of Aspiring Artists and ASC Property Management are the Backbone Partners who are working to get funding beyond the submission of a Strategic Plan by the end of December. Donations are needed to help with operations until funding is approved.

“This program has been awarded to us based on our favor from God to go and meet with leaders across the state and the country and we’ve invested over $100,000 from our personal accounts to pay for operations to keep it going. We have brought the distribution to Dermott, McGehee and Earle.  Everyone always says, we do not have any money. I say, neither do we. The only difference is most often we are the only ones telling the truth. But, by the grace of God, He has allowed us to see the need and not say no because we do not have the resources. We are grateful to in kind donations, but we need funding.  We’ve had to spend money that should be going to our personal accounts and in addition, borrow money to pay for expenses and stipends in hopes that resources from the city, state, etc., would be available from some source to help us continue this meaningful outreach in Dumas and SEARK just as it is going forth across the nation, stated Rev. Hunt on behalf of the center and the Dumas REDI.  

Last Thursday, October 22, 2020 McGehee, Arkansas was the newest site to serve over 1200 families with over $35,000 of food to include, produce, protein and dairy and partner with THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas and GoFresh USA. Mr. Bob Ware, Vice-Chancellor for the UAM College of Technology was the leader designated for the McGehee community.

For more on THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas and how you can donate/volunteer, etc., please contact Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D., 870.623.8179, Annette Cowen at 870.382.5141, Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356 or visit www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org

October 28, 2020 Letter to Editor of Dumas Clarion {Full Letter}

 Dear Editor:

Election 2020 Reveals Cold-hearted Truth About Current State of Cultural and Racial Inequities— “Smack Dab in the Middle of a Pandemic”

Two years ago, Dumas elected its first black mayor. The council within the first year had a 5-3 white/black ratio. I saw hope, but trouble at the same time. How?  Hope: When we can see a black mayor with greater representation for all of Dumas.  Trouble: When I went before the council the next year to ask why the administration called the police on me when I had been approved to have a community meeting to discuss new options regarding the closing of DTEC. With millions of dollars poured into DTEC and its closing, I wanted to know what were ‘next-step options’ and to host a community forum on this subject and more. We have done Town Hall Forums for 12 years and this one was necessary. I received a call from the Governor’s office with directives to find out more about the closing and report back.   Sadly, even with a police report confirming no need for the police to have been called, the City Clerk, Erma Coburn and the Councilmember, Roy Dalton were not directed by the Mayor to state their reasons.

Now, two years later in the middle of a pandemic, we have the first opportunity to elect one more black person to put the council in a 50/50 balance of Black/White representation. It gives hope to what has not changed in the history of this city. Linda Hunt Rogers is running for Ward I Position I.

In January of this year, our new grant program from USDA, Rural Economic Development Innovation requested $75,000 at the council meeting to help us with operations for the year. We were directed to put a proposal together and submit it to budget committee.  We did so in February and got the highest review from one of the city officers.  Absent was John Owen, the chair of the budget committee.  To date he has not confirmed to meet with us. In the year of a pandemic with $6,000,000 endowed to the city from the Peterson’s Trust, the city chooses not to provide a way to help organizations going out in harm’s way to help the residents. To date, we have invested over $325,000 in food distribution and operations and will have $500,000 into Dumas and SEARK from our REDI program before the year is over. Over $100,000 has come from our personal dollars to serve the residents and build new programs in and for Dumas and these leaders continue to disregard and do the politics.  See more on this at www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org

The city has spent over $200,000 with an outside agency to promote positive things that brand or promote good things happening in and from Dumas. We have been rudely treated by Councilmember Ramona Weatherford and constantly denied the opportunity to be a part of this A&P effort. We have the councilmembers, written them, invited them to public forums to speak out and to date, NO RESPONSE!

Dumas, Why Stay the Same?

We can, we should, and we will do better. Now is the time.  We do not know when we will have the option to do a 4/4 ration of council members again.  What is wrong with 4 blacks and 4 whites to go across the city and find the needs and interests of the community?   Whether the mayor is black, white, etc., the city council members are the ones who are most accountable for the work and progress for the citizens. A racially balanced council is a key to a racially balanced community and city governance.

Our USDA REDI grant award has so much opportunity to bring to Dumas.  If we had leaders who could see the vision and partner with us it would bring Dumas to a higher regard in many ways.

Sometimes I hear God saying clearly… “Stop Putting Water on a Fire that God has Started.”   I see this happening not only in Dumas but across this nation.

I ask you to leave your comments, questions here. I ask the city of Dumas to challenge any of these statements and do so speedily. This letter is to help us see where we are and to make the wise decisions to bring greater hope and future results to all of Dumas, Desha, the Delta and beyond.

To join us for change, please contact me, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D.,  directly at 870.623.8179 or ceo@thecollegeofaspiringartists.education

Our work with our new Digital Arts College Network, DAT—C is underway.  It will be located at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas and more details on this is at www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  

“What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now?”

                            

“What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now?”  Decision Time in Dumas and Desha, Candidates to Speak

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, all candidates running for positions in Dumas and Desha County are invited to attend and speak at the outdoor forum presented by local leaders and community program partners. The theme of the forum is: “What Have You Done For Us Lately—What Are You Doing For Us Now? The mission of the forum is to connect many persons who have yet to meet and/or hear the candidates.

Since the last election in 2018, Dumas has experienced the closing of DTEC, a new program model, DAT—C, Digital Arts Technology College Network is underway with the USDA REDI, Rural Economic Development Innovation award and all in the midst of the COVID—19 Pandemic.

These important agenda items along with other key matters are requiring the best in new leadership from across the city and county to come forth with strong vision and actions and this forum will allow the candidates to share their visions for change and progress going forward. 

Also on the table for discussion is what is the vision for philanthropic resources including $6,000,000 from the Peterson’s estate that bring a serious dimension that must be valued and weighed in on for best use and investment into the city’s future.   Two years later, there has not been any public appropriations of these funds for education, economic or community advancements, outreach or engagement.

Individuals and programs leaders (including startups) are encouraged to bring written copies of their vision/concepts for inclusion in a collaborative vision/proposal that allows many programs to unitize shared visions. Program development includes demographics from youth the seniors with an emphasis on ‘all of Dumas/Desha.’ How these dollars will be invested for sustainable programs and more is what organizers are working on with local, state and national organizations and leaders that focus on needs and improvement for Dumas/Desha.

There will be a question and answer segment and an opportunity for citizens to share/submit their vision/plans/concepts for Dumas/Desha 2020 and beyond. The forum will be held outdoors with COVID—19 guidelines being adhered to at THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas located at 501 W. Bowles from 4:45pm-6pm.  Refreshments and entertainment to follow.

Candidates who have not confirmed participation and persons needing additional information on the organizers, of the forum or persons desiring to volunteer or to participate please email allofdumasunited@gmail.com  and/or leave  comments here.