By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
In 1982, Charlsie Tarrance was inspired to provide shelter to “God’s
most forgotten people.” Tarrance noticed the problem of homelessness
in Etowah County and created The Love Center to provide clothing,
food, furniture and shelter to those in need.
“Since 1985, The Love Center has provided homeless single women,
couples and families with children with long-term housing and meals,”
said board member Gail Keeling-Smith. “This is only made possible
through generous funding we have received from members of our
community.”
The Love Center was able to assist 144 clients in 2015. Thirty-five of
those clients were children. That is 4,014 nights of shelter and
12,042 meals for its clients in the last year alone.
Currently, The Love Center has faced some problems with lack of funds.
To raise money, The Love Center is partnering with the Gadsden Museum
of Art to host Art for a Purpose.
The fundraiser will also benefit the museum. The Gadsden Museum of Art
has served the community since 1968, offering exhibitions, community
events, and educational programs for all ages. In 2015, the museum
served over 5,400 children in K-12 through its outreach programs.
Art for a Purpose will be held Thursday, August 25 on the second floor
of the Gadsden Museum of Art.
Although the event is in August, the fundraiser is accepting donations
of art until August 20. Old or unused pieces of art that you may have
will be accepted. The point is to raise money, so please donate
quality art pieces.
Donors will receive a letter of donation and $10 of “art bucks” that
can be used during Art for a Purpose to purchase art.
All money raised will be split evenly between the two organizations to
fund the Love Center’s operations and GMA’s educational programs.
If you have further questions, please contact The Love Center director
Ruth Adcock at 256-546-8831 or GMA curator Rebecca Duke at
256-546-7365.