04 Aug 2014 Ultimate Grill-Fest raises money for Jacob's Place

The first Ultimate Hamburger Grill-Fest: Hamburgers for Homelessness event raised $7,778.68 to benefit Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission, which provides housing and support for White County families in need.

Sponsors for the event — the Bank of Augusta, Centennial Bank, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, Regions Bank, Simmons First Bank, Southern Bank and White County Federal Credit Union — sold tickets prior to the event.

During the fundraiser, Jacob’s Place Board of Directors President Mat Faulkner presented the Golden Grill trophy to First Security Bank for raising the most money in pre-sales tickets.

“We are extremely thankful to our community for making the Grill-Fest a great success,” said Faulkner. “It turned out to be a beautiful day to raise money for homeless families with children in White County. We appreciate all of our sponsors and people who participated in the event including the City of Searcy; Searcy Parks and Recreation Department; Searcy Fire Department; In Any Event; Yarnell’s; Amy Daniels/Edward Jones Investments; First Assembly of God, music sponsor; The Honky Tonk Heroes featuring Jackie Stewart, David Starkey, Gene Ragan and Jake Howard; SourMash; Mike Dixson; Jon Oden; Jason Sutton; and Kinship, featuring Justin and Katie Lawson and Shelley Faulkner.

Jacob’s Place has helped 135 families, including 179 children, since it opened in 2008. Fundraisers, churches and private donations support the operating expenses of the organization, which empowers homeless families in White County by providing financial, spiritual, emotional support and job counseling they receive shelter.

For more information about Jacob’s Place and its work with homeless families in White County, please visit jacobsplace.org.