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"What you do to the least of these..." Matthew 25:40

Mission

RIFA is leading and engaging the community in the fight against hunger.

RIFA IS…

A local, faith-based organization that has been part of the Jackson community since 1976.

Vision

To lead and engage the community in the fight against hunger. 

Mission

To reach out with the love of Christ to provide physical and spiritual nourishment.

Safe place

As much as we are all about fighting hunger, we are a safe place for people to find community and experience Christ.

Why we exist

Because 1 out of 5 people living in Jackson are unsure of where their next meal is coming from. 18.9% of people in Madison County live below the poverty level which is higher than the 15% US average. 

RIFA is where you can be the hands and feet of Christ in your own backyard.

Our History

Our History

RIFA has been serving Jackson since 1976

  • 1976 – RIFA was established with Rev. Gary Scheidt as the first Executive Director. The office was located in Jones Hall at the old Union University in downtown Jackson.
  • 1977-1978 – RIFA coordinated Food Fairs in the parking lot of the old West Jackson Baptist Church, which was the beginning of today’s Farmers Market.
  • 1992 – RIFA moved to the old Clean Linen building at 219 N. Highland Avenue.
  • 1996 – The RIFA Thrift Store opens.
  • 1996 –The local Community Soup Kitchen became one of RIFA’s ministries.
  • 2005 – Snack Backpack ministry started with one school and 25 children served.
  • 2005 – RIFA begins operating an independent Food Bank.
  • 2005 – First annual Canstruction fundraiser held at the Jackson Fairgrounds.
  • 2009 – Lisa Tillman becomes Executive Director of RIFA.
  • 2012 – Moved to the former Nando Jones building at 133 Airways Boulevard.
  • 2014 – Canstruction moved to the Civic Center on its 10th anniversary.
  • 2014 – RIFA was named the Jackson Chamber’s Nonprofit of the Year.
  • 2015 – RIFA graduates from the Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence’s Program for Nonprofit Excellence (PNE).
  • 2019 – RIFA started the Bus Stop Cafe.
  • 2019 – RIFA distrubuted 518,136 meals.

 

Our Staff

Lisa Tillman Executive Director ltillman@rifajackson.org
Shaun Powers Assistant Director spowers@rifajackson.org
Marie Geiser Community Outreach Coordinator mgeiser@rifajackson.org
Dan Ward Volunteer Coordinator dward@rifajackson.org
Tina Hernandez Administrative Assistant thernandez@rifajackson.org
Jessica Soares Accountant jsoares@rifajackson.org
Gracie Sloan Marketing and Events Coordinator gsloan@rifajackson.org
Thomas Brown Warehouse Manager tbrown@rifajackson.org
Dorothy Bell Donations Processor dbell@rifajackson.org
Joseph Rogers Warehouse Worker jrogers@rifajackson.org
Mary Roebuck Receptionist mroebuck@rifajackson.org
Susan McFarland Soup Kitchen Manager smcfarmland@rifajackson.org
Jennifer Ortiz Weekend Soup Kitchen Manager jortiz@rifajackson.org
Cheryl Thomas Thrift Store Manager cthomas@rifajackson.org
TJ Clanin Thrift Store Clerk info@rifajackson.org
Elaine Taylor Thrift Store Clerk etaylor@rifajackson.org
Lisa Robey Thrift Store Clerk lrobey@rifajackson.org

Our Board

Derick Tisdale Board President Jackson Police Department
Deputy Chief of Police Patrol Operations
Mandy White Vice President Jackson Chamber
SVP Economic Development
Aaron Cooper Treasurer Jackson Energy Authority
HR Supervisor
Ginger Pipkin Secretary FTB Advisors
Wealth Management Client Specialist
Dr. Amy Elizer Past President University of Tennessee Extension
Extension Agent & County Director
Jason Bates Toyota Motor Manufacturing of TN
Senior Manager
Rev. Courtney Bowen First Presbyterian Church
Associate Pastor
Dan Brooks Retired from Macy’s
Community Volunteer
Rhonda Heard Jackson-Madison County School System
Community Engagement Coordinator
Dr. Eric Jones Director of Professional Learning
National Center on Education and the Economy
Carol Sue Keathley Raymond James
Managing Director
Randy Pierson Fellowship Bible Church
Executive Pastor of Operations
Cassandra Fuller Jackson Energy Authority
Creative Services Coordinator
Dr. Janice Pittman Union University
Assistant Professor of Management
Michelle Prince Raymond James
SVP Investments
Gary Carter Northwestern Mutual
Financial Planner
Dr. Wayne Smith Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor
Sandra White St. John's Community Services
TN Marketing & Communications Specialist
Scotty Wolfe Simmons Bank
AVP Branch Manager
Joseph "JC" Shelley First Horizon
AVP Banking Center Manager
Rebecca White Retired from LyondellBasell
Plant Manager
Swee Har Wilcox Ceco Door / Assa Abloy
Director of Human Resources

Help us meet 80,000 Meals!

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