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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.

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.
2021 – RIFA distributed 472,386 meals.