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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

The Good Samaritan Center, established in 1972, is a private, nonprofit social service agency directed and funded by seven Jackson churches. With the motto, “If we can’t help, we should know who can,” the organization’s mission is to assist those in need during emergency situations. The Good Samaritan Center works closely with like-minded organizations to formulate a solid network of compassionate hands with the goal of having a long-term positive effect on a person’s life during heavy circumstances. Their case management team works to supply and advocate for their clients with pertinent information and make appropriate referrals to link clients with needed resources such as emergency services and funds available in the community. The team helps each client get to the root of the emergency and help them to make proactive changes in the household to prevent future crisis reoccurrences. They also assist local churches by handling various calls that the churches receive weekly.

On Jan. 31 at noon, the Good Samaritan Center hosts its annual winter coat and clothing drive to provide appropriate winter attire to donate to low income families struggling to stay warm this season. All warm apparel such as coats, gloves, hats and socks are needed and should be in good condition. The Good Samaritan Center is located at 114 Millsaps Ave. For more information, call 601-355-6276 or visit here.

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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.

Azia Wiggins, deputy editor of the Mississippi Free Press, uses her experiences as a perpetual student, intellectual, hard worker, creative, and relationship builder to unite Mississippians through story telling by shedding light on what’s happening on the ground with everyday citizens. Please send story tips to Azia at azia@mississippifreepress.org, including MFP Voices essay ideas or submissions up to 1,200 words. Azia is also coordinating editor of the “Black Women, Systemic Barriers and COVID-19 Project” collaboration between the Mississippi Free Press and the Jackson Advocate, a project funded by the Solutions Journalism Network. Please write her directly about the project and related solutions circles, and tell her if you’d like to sign on as a sponsor of the project.