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photo by Marcus Frazier
Incoming United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou Executive Director Marsha Colson speaks of her plans for the future during a meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Isle of Capri Hotel.
Isle presents check for Food Pantry
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008
NATCHEZ — When the Food Pantry was looking like it was about to shut down its doors, Catholic Charities became the muscle, but the Isle of Capri became the backbone.
While Catholic Charities has stepped up to take over ownership of the agency from the United Way, which still needs the signature of the bishop, it still needed money to get started.
So, General Manager and Vice President of the Isle of Capri Tony Scudiero decided to donate $10,000.
Tuesday afternoon, Scudiero handed Executive Director of Catholic Charities Martha Mitternight the first installment of $5,000.
During the United Way board meeting prior to the transfer, United Way Chairman Mike Gemmell again referenced Scudiero and the Isle of Capri as the cavalry who rode in to save the day.
He said not only does the United Way thank Scudiero and the Isle, but “900 families who get free nutritious food thank you.”
Scudiero said it was just a natural thing for the casino to step up.
“We’re glad to come to the rescue,” he said.
Maria Bowser, United Way communications chair, said the Isle also contributed to the new carpet in the agency’s new building and sent over a maintenance crew to help move furniture.
Over the years, the Isle of Capri has had a helping hand in the United Way, including donations, fundraisers, golf tournaments and more.
Since 2003, the Isle has given a total of $141,380 to the agency, which does not include employee contributions, Scudiero said.
“I would be very safe to say that it’d be well over $200,000 with employee contributions,” he said.
In 2007, the casino gave the United Way $34,263.
This year so far, they given a total of $17,000 in donations to the United Way.
Add in the $10,000 for the Food Pantry and that bumps the total up to $27,000.
Scudiero said he doesn’t want to stop contributing to the Food Pantry.
“The first year is very important for them to get on their feet,” he said.
Support will come in the form of yearlong fundraisers among his staff, but also sending in labor.
He said during slow times at the boat, employees who may fear they won’t hit a 40-hour week can go down to the Food Pantry and volunteer their time while still being on the clock at the casino.
“That’s just a good experience for everybody,” Scudiero said.
In fact, he said when the announcement was made to his employees that the Isle was giving financial backing to the agency, they were elated.
“They went crazy,” Scudiero said. “So many people were worried about what was going to happen to them.”
Scudiero said his donation would not be possible without the Isle’s corporate office.
The Isle has always been a great supported of the United Way, beginning with the corporations’ founder Bernard Goldstein, Scudiero said.
“It was his favorite charity and it more or less became our charity of choice,” he said.
It’s important for the community to understand all that the casino gives back and not to get tied up in any misconceptions.
“I think a lot of people think we’re a casino and so we just take, take, take but we actually give, give, give,” he said.
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a good example to set for the rest of the Tourism Cartel Tony. Thanks for being a good neighbor.
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great going Catholic Charities for the long term success of the food pantry and the Isle too. Wish the United Way would do more.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who's the old lady in the pic?
Posted by cynthiafleming (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope this puts an end to all those uninformed nay sayers who complain that casino's are "bad" for Natchez. Not only are they one of the main employers for Natchez, they contribute much to the community. I see far less "comments" in this blog for the good news. Wonder why?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would think they would have enough tax write-offs already. Especially after the rise of the river this year . It is to a good cause . It's giving back to all those poor folks that lost all their money at the 1st of the month on their boat. I guess they want to keep them alive for next months check . Smart thinking ! Natchez has missed poor ole Nellie Jackson since her demise . She used to do a lot of charity works in Natchez. She was a grand old lady . And now we have another grand old lady named"The Isle of Capri" to take over where she left off . Who said "sin doesn't pay"?
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great representation of stewardship Isle of Capri
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Without the Isle of Capri this ville would put the cooking fires out, burn the hooches down, and move to new territory. Some great people work there and Natchez has to have their tax money to survive.
Way to go Tony and crew. Salute.
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so ironic I laughed my head off. I know of people who have blew their whole paycheck at the boat and their families have no food. Now the Isle gets commended as the "backbone" of the food pantry for donating a check. Who do you think are some of the people who use the food pantry? People who are addicted to gambling and blew their money at the boat. Is this only transparent to me?
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sayitloud
I'm sure the lady in the picture appreciates being called "an old lady." Very rude & hurtful comment. If you would have read under the picture it gives her name.
I agree ((Swapmeet)) now the people that were stupid enough to cater to their gambling addiction can benifit on free food!!
Posted by mabow (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks overthehill...while I was registering so I could comment, you made my point. The lady in the picture is a fine committed citizen who wants to help this community, despite the rude and hurtful comments from people like sayitloud who seem to thrive on being vicious and negative. Ms. Colson is taking on a big job and the entire Miss-Lou should be grateful for her willingness to serve the community
Posted by fatherof4 (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If half of the needy had stayed off the boat, they may not be needing a handout.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does the Isle hold people hostage or do they kidnap people and force them to play, NO they do not. They even have a program set forth for people who have a gambling problem, documentation for this program is posted almost everywhere that transactions take place. Now, what is the difference in a theatre, amusement parks, and/or a casino? Nothing, they're all establishments for entertainment. I know several people who are addicted to shoping, they go out and buy there families out of food and home. So honestly what is the difference. Do credit card companies or wal-mart have any kind of program to assist those that do not have the funds to support their habits. Does your business not sell something for money? If it does not how is it really considered a business. How many business's in Natchez can compete with the tax money and/or donations, that the Isle can put out?
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good post lowrider. I go down there sometimes at night and fish off the stern. The cops were gonna say something one night and then saw that I was naked and they backed off. That was silly. Like who fishes with their clothes on. If you fall in you'll get them wet. Unh! Unh! Unh!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 9, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG Hardcorps you are a nut!!!
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 5:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isle employees pitch in every paycheck to help the local charities. Seems that some here don't appreciate it. Would you rather the Isle let the Pantry close? Do you donate to the local United Way?
Posted by blueeydlady101 (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to everyone involved in keeping the food pantry open for the less fortunate ones in our area. The elderly people desperately need this help. Anyone that is on a fixed income because they can't work any longer need all the help they can get. They only get a little money every month and very little food stamps and they really need this organization to stay open so they can at least eat some during the month. By the time they pay their electricity,water and gas bills they don't have anything left. THANKS VERY MUCH TO THE ISLE OF CAPRI for giving the donation to get this food pantry started back up.
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lowrider
The boat doesn't hold people hostage nor do they kidnap, people go on their own free will. The boat feeds off of some weak people that seem to have lost control of themselves. Gambling can become an addiction like anything else, why do you think they have those programs! The help for gambling addiction is like with acholol or drugs the people are always in denial & can only get help it they want it or someone pushes them.
The boat is far different than an amusment park or movie, people usually take their children & leave laughing & have money for groceries etc. Nine out of ten people that leave the boat leave depressed & worried about paying the bills and feeding their family.
You are right about credit cards, they can become addictive & you can loose everything you have, but your credit gets bad & a stop is made to the people that apply for a credit card or anything else on credit. The boat doesn't run a credit check on you they couldn't care less it you owe everyone in town because they work on a cash basis. Anyone that thinks people going to the boat & loosing their money is right ask the children that are doing without because of their weak parents. The same goes for drugs & drinking. I have been to the boat a few times with $5 and when that's gone it's time for me to leave.
They are making such a big deal about the boat donating to the poor what about all the other companies & people that make donations they never make the front page.
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't care who gives the money as long as they give. When I lived in Natchez I spent a Thanksgiving Day serving at what was at that time The Stew Pot. My son and husband also served. It was such an eye opener. I know that there are a few people who don't need the help and take advantage of it being free but the majority of the recipients need the assistance. It was quite an uplifting experience to see the smiles that relayed the appreciation. I urge anyone and everyone to do this even if it's just one time. Take your children with you and maybe it will give them a better perspective about real life and what it takes to survive.
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