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United Way kicks off campaign
Published Wednesday, August 6, 2008
NATCHEZ — Last month the Food Pantry supplied 2,100 people — or 552 families — in Adams County with basic food products.
These people fall at the national poverty line — an annual income of $10,000 or less.
Mississippi has some of the highest poverty rates in the nation, statistics show.
Had the Food Pantry not been swept up by Catholic Charities and monetarily supported in its transition by the Isle of Capri, the United Way would have shut the pantry doors Aug. 1.
Thankfully this was not the case and the general theme at the United Way’s campaign kick off Tuesday morning was just that — thanks.
Martha Mitternight, executive director of Catholic Charities, said the food bank’s mission falls perfectly under the overall mission of Catholic Charities.
“The Food Pantry is a logical extension of what our mission is,” she said. “We strive to serve everyone who is vulnerable or at risk in our community.”
She said the people who come to the Food Pantry for assistance make an annual income of about $7,500 a year.
She spoke of how helpful monetary donations are to the agency, that for every $1 donated, $5 or $6 can come back in grant money from a cash match.
“That’s a great return on an investment you make in your community,” she said.
Mitternight gave great thanks to Tony Scudiero, general manager and vice president of the Isle of Capri, for his $10,000 donation to help make a smooth transition from the United Way to Catholic Charities.
Scudiero said it touched his heart when he realized the struggle the Food Pantry was going through.
“We are here to support them and help them in any way we can,” he said.
Scudiero then presented Mitternight with the second and final installment of his donation, a $5,000 check.
Mike Gemmell, chairman of the United Way board, urged all present to have a successful campaign, as it’s the communities dollars that keep all the agencies under the United Way’s umbrella alive.
“We try to move people from dependency to productivity,” he said of United Way’s mission. “But we can’t do it alone.”
Marsha Colson, executive director of United Way, said times are tough which will reflect on the success of the overall campaign.
“We know we’re facing challenges this year, I know that some people may not be able to give as generously as they did last year,” Colson said.
The economic down turn is hurting everyone across the board, she said.
“If we’re feeling it then the people who are in great need are in even greater need this year,” she said.
She asked that everyone give as much as possible, however.
Comments
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like Colston is finding a way out of not delivering her job. Everyone can give. Go ask and collect.
3 jobs is to many for one person.
Posted by shewoman1960 (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes "oldsaw" - I agree with you. Already making excuses to why she don't expect to raise much this year. Why is it the "economic downtown" is hurting us? Come on Ms. Colston, your focus is the Miss-Lou, not "downtown" and we're talking United Way, not Natchez Pilgrimage Tours! Hard to divide the people who have funds to travel and tour to those who don't have funds for the essential things in life!
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The United Way does a lot for the less fortunate in our community. Please do not lose site of that because you do not like the executive director. I do what I can to support them. I have visited the agencies they fund and they are very deserving.
Posted by whiterabbit (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The phrase "economic downtown" was likely the reporter's typo for "economic down turn." "Economic downtown" doesn't even make sense. It's hard to take comments seriously, however, when the people posting them can't even spell the director's name correctly.
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I find the irony in the Isle of Capri's donation amusing at best. "Here's a $10,000 donation. Give us a day or two of taking away some families' grocery money because of parents who are addicted to gambling, and we can send you some people that way."
$10,000 will only cover a month or so of people that need grocery money because of them. I'll venture to say they won't be donating $10,000 every month or so.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Swapmeet - Please tell me what do you do to contribute? Before you knock some one else, you need to get off the couch and do, not judge.
Posted by andy (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
go united way you get bigger every year i support you
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Andy,
Maybe you missed the point. This year, with a part time director, the goal has been cut by more than half. Some of us who give feel cheated.
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on August 6, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Folks need to focus...If you have it to give...give it!! I would so much prefer to give my "money" to the United Way versus the Democrats!
Posted by naturegirl (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can always donate directly to the charity of your choice. Then you know for sure where it is going, and not into a directors pocket.
Posted by Bifflefan16 (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Swapmeet I would like to know what you give back to the community I think every dollar helps and I didnt see any other business in town even come close to that in support of something that is right in their back yard.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 7, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Isle should give a lot more than that, considering how much they take. Sure, they don't force anyone to gamble, but they don't try to stop them before they lose everything either.
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