This tax season, in addition to their clients’ taxes, the staff at Liberty Tax in Picayune, in collaboration with Crossroads Food Pantry, will be collecting food donations for needy families in Pearl River County during their Easter Food Drive.
This year, due to drastic cuts in government funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, many families’ benefits will be decreased, Liberty Tax marketing coordinator and tax consultant Jenny West said.
“All food pantries will be seeing an increase in clients beginning in late March, early April,” West said. “We wanted to help because of that reason.”
Crossroads Food Pantry is a non-profit organization serving clients in the Pearl River, Ford’s Creek, White Sand and Henleyfield locations. The only criterion for clients is that they live in the area, Crossroads Food Pantry director Sharon Bonnecarrere said.
The pantry distributes food items every other Wednesday. Grocery items include meats, canned goods, bread and dry goods.
From now until Feb. 29, Liberty Tax will be offering $20 off tax preparation fees for customers who bring in non-perishable food items, West said.
Liberty Tax will be accepting the following items: canned meats, canned vegetables, cereals, macaroni and cheese, boxed milk, baby formulas, jar baby food, baby cereal, diapers and wipes. Fresh or perishable items will not be accepted.
In addition to the donations, the Picayune location of Liberty Tax will be donating $50 to the food pantry when customers bring in a referral coupon. The coupons will be distributed at the pantry to clients or people who make a donation to the pantry, West said. People who receive a coupon will also receive $20 off tax preparation.
The average cost of a tax preparation begins at $150, West said. Liberty Tax has served Pearl River County since 2003 and is owned by Trudi Barr. There are five certified tax preparers at the office, West said.
“We want to help and give back to the community and, at the same time, save our customers some money,” West said. “Cash donations to Crossroads are also tax-deductible and can be claimed on your taxes if you itemize.”
Bonnecarrre said she has been thinking about the possible increase in clients. In January, the pantry served more than 300 families.
“We will do the best we can with prayer, God provides,” she said. “We don’t receive funding. We are able to do what we do because of the generosity of the community, businesses and churches.”
Liberty Tax is located at 720 Hwy. 11 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information follow the business on Facebook.
Crossroads Food Pantry is located at 176 Old Crossroads West, Poplarville. Learn more about the pantry through Facebook.