The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center announced today that four generous Aquidneck Islanders have issued a special matching challenge to friends of the MLK Community Center. Gail Jacobs and Roy Williams of Middletown and Sue and George Petrovas of Newport have united to put $20,000 on the line to inspire the community to ensure the Center’s pantry is stocked with the most requested personal care and household products.

For a brief two-week period, cash donations will be matched at 4 times the amount. $25 becomes $100; $100 becomes $400; $250 becomes $1,000 and so on. All donated funds will be used to purchase some of the most requested items that clients need for their families and their homes: Bath soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, shampoo, menstrual products, incontinence garments, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, and cleaning products.

“We’ve supported the MLK for years. We’re impressed the Center offers items that mean dignity for so many in our community. We’re thrilled George and Sue have joined Roy and me in issuing this challenge match. We’ll match all donations up to $20,000,” said Gail Jacobs of Middletown in a press release.

“Items like toilet paper and soap aren’t luxuries: they’re necessities, part of being human. We’ve been buying them when we can as they’re rarely donated. This challenge will help ensure we can provide the products for clients across the community,” said Heather Hole Strout, the Center’s Executive Director in a release. “We’re so grateful to Gail and Roy and Sue and George for giving us this incredible opportunity — but time is short. We need to wrap up this campaign quickly, in just two weeks.” 

To donate: click the PayPal Donate button anywhere on their website between October 21st, 2019 – November 4th, 2019. Be sure to select the 4x4x14 Matching Fund where it says “Use my gift for…”

The MLK Center is also happy to accept gifts of cash and checks; they can be delivered to the Center anytime during normal business hours (M-F, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or mailed to 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.