Candy Crecink, Director of Community Engagement and Impact of the United Way of North Central Mississippi, was pleased with the area holiday food drive held in the name of COVID-19 relief.
The United Way branch supports 14 community agencies that address health, education and financial stability — including the Salvation Army, Contact Helpline and 4-H.
To help those agencies deliver necessary services that have become even more critical during the pandemic, Crecink has had to work seven days a week and find new ways to bring the money in.
But the community support she's seen — such as the community's inspiring response for the holiday food drive — is a constant reminder that the time she spends is worth every moment.
"This is what United Way is all about: people being brought together to help their neighbors," Crecink said.
Crecink said her branch has raised roughly $100,000 since late March through individuals, community organizations, corporate foundations and national grants.
United We Feed
The organization, which serves Oktibbeha, Webster, Winston and Choctaw counties, reopened its United We Feed program in May and has moved forward with it during its annual November and December months.
Through United We Feed, 24 local food pantries and programs were able to restock their shelves and support individuals and families throughout UWNCM’s four-county services area.
Webster County businesses that served as donation sites for neighbors to drop off non-perishable food items were Piggly Wiggly in Eupora and Mathiston and SuperValu in Eupora.
United Way of NCM also purchased $800 in food items that were donated to the Webster Baptist Association Food Ministry. The donation was picked up and delivered by Webster County Emergency Management Director Barry Rushing and United Way representative Bill Baker, whose niece, Allie York, helped unload the donation.
"The need is still out there to give," said Brittney D. Oliver, executive director of UMNCM.
