The purpose of this letter is to commend The Natchez Democrat staff, in general and Mary Hood and Vershal Hogan, in particular, for the accurate and professional coverage regarding the transfer of the Natchez/Adams County Food Pantry from the United Way over to Catholic Charities.

The seamless transfer will become official Aug. 1. Eligible citizens will continue receiving nutritious food at the same place on North Shields Lane.

False rumors were flying around town about the fate of the pantry. Some had us at the United Way walking away from it; others said we were ignoring the needs of vulnerable people. Hogwash!

The United Way board and staff approached the transfer in a responsible and focused manner, making sure that a credible patron could be found to carry on the good work of Tommy Jackson and his staff at the Food Pantry.

Catholic Charities (thanks to Father O’Connor and Martha Mitternight) stepped up and took over the conduct of the Food Pantry. Tony Scudiero of the Isle of Capri sealed the deal with a generous “transfer fund” of $10,000. We are grateful to both organizations for making sure that the Food Pantry will continue to serve the needy in our community.

One more point in closing. Last week the United Way called for an “all hands” meeting of our 25 agencies to discuss allocation of funds that will be collected this fall in our annual United Way campaign.

We want the word to go out that we will conduct an aggressive campaign, under the direction of our new Executive Director Marsha Colson.

We will need to tap the caring strength that exists in the Greater Miss-Lou. Our goal is to raise more than $150,000 to share with current and new social service agencies that are or will be members of the new United Way family in 2009.

We kick-off our campaign at noon on Aug. 21 with a jambalaya cook-off in the convention center.

Mark your calendars. For questions, call Marsha Colson at 601-442-1081.

Mike Gemmell

Chairman, United Way Board of Directors