Jags Help Keep Clara White Mission Up and Running

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Up and running at full capacity, the Clara White Mission is back to doing what they do best. Once again, they are able to serve meals seven days a week.

It's partly because of a group of guys who do what they do best every Sunday. Back in October major budget cuts forced the mission to cut back on meals. They were only able to open three days a week.

Jacksonville Jaguars player Terry Cousin heard of the problem and soon got 31 of his fellow players to help out with a solution that came straight from their pockets.

?It?s unacceptable as human beings that we should have another person not having a hot meal or a meal to eat period. That was just my heart and the guys received it. They came through and donated together $44,000,? says Cousin.

Add it in with another anonymous gift of $50,000 and a few other generous donations and the center is able to serve for the rest of the year.

?This is the first time in the program's history that has ever happened. Individuals giving money to the Clara White Mission is just an awesome opportunity,? says CEO & President Ju?Coby Pittman Peele of the Clara White Mission.

While this is a quick fix, Cousin says his mission isn't finished. $120,000 is needed for the facility to function the rest of the year.

?If we can get 120,000 people to bring in a dollar to the Clara White Mission that would fund their program for a whole year and I think that's possible,? says Cousin.

In the past six months Clara White Mission has gone from serving 350 meals a day to over 500 meals a day. The estimated cost to feed one person is $2 per day.

If you would like to donate or help volunteer at the Clara White Mission contact Ju?Coby Pittman Peele at 904-354-4162 or go to their website at clarawhitemission.org.