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.