The Entergy Charitable Foundation has awarded United Way of North Central Mississippi a $1,500 grant to support Homebound Senior Citizens’ home-delivered meal service.
The grant is part of more than $17.5 million the organization awarded to community agencies in their service areas. ECF has a special focus on low-income initiatives as well as educational and literacy programs. The Entergy Charitable Foundation grant addresses a specific health concern of the Area Agency on Aging Program with the Golden Triangle Planning Development District. The Area Agency on Aging is one of 15 community organizations supported by the United Way of North Central Mississippi. These organizations address the family and social environment with special attention being placed on the essential building blocks of education, health and income.
Executive Director Candace Crecink commented, “By addressing these three issues, United Way of North Central Mississippi and our 15 agencies can continue to strive to create a stronger community for all our neighbors.”
She added its philosophy is “Stronger neighbors make a stronger community.”
Area Agency on Aging provides support to over 12,000 senior citizens in UWNCM’s four-county — Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston – area to ensure that seniors can continue to lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives.
One of the support services provided through Area Agency on Aging is congregate and home-delivered meals. The Older Adult Nutrition Program provides nutritionally balanced meals to older individuals in a variety of settings, including home-delivery to older individuals who are homebound because of illness, disability or geographic isolation.
Melody Benson, the agency’s nutrition coordinator, explained, “With the additional financial support from United Way, we will be able to transition those from our waiting list to the home-delivered meals list. This is extremely important to continue to help our senior citizens remain active and in their home for as long as possible.”
A check presentation sponsored by Starkville-based TechnoJudo.com occurred during United Way of North Central Mississippi’s monthly board meeting on March 27. Presenting the check to Area Agency on Aging Director Bobby Gann and Benson were President Paul Luckett and Vice President and Campaign Chair Dr. Brittney Oliver. As grant coordinator, Oliver was enthusiastic about an opportunity to support United Way’s efforts to address community needs through partnerships with community-based organizations.
“The United Way of North Central Mississippi strives to not only recognize issues pertaining to economic stability, education and health but provide resources to reduce and eliminate obstacles to experiencing optimal quality of life. Providing such resources, such as meals for seniors in need, requires support from diverse partners at local, regional and national levels. This award has been one example of how United Way fulfills it mission to serve as a linkage between our community members in need and agencies and organizations with the capacity to address those needs.”
“Entergy Mississippi works to improve the quality of life in communities where we have a presence through strategic investments such as this one,” said Val Mabry, Entergy Mississippi public affairs analyst. ”We want our communities to be healthy, educated, environmentally safe and productive for both our customers and our employees who live and work here.”
Crecink noted, “United Way of North Central Mississippi and its board are continually seeking sources of support like our strong neighbor Entergy for one of Mississippi’s and the nation’s fastest-growing populations.
“Senior citizens presently represent over 14% of the population in our four counties. Statistics indicate that by 2030 all baby boomers will be older than 65, which means one in five residents will be retirement age. For the first time in U.S. history, senior citizens will outnumber children.
“The Area Agency on Aging has the capability to address all their needs and issues through a diverse resource of programs and services. This agency also has the resources to be able to create additional services as new issues arise in order that seniors can continue to lead independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes. The Area Agency on Aging is the focal point of leadership in the field of aging for the area.”
United Way of North Central Mississippi is on a mission to ensure every member of its community is Full, Fit and Literate. Those interested in supporting the works of the United Way of North Central Mississippi can donate, volunteer and become a member by calling 662-323-3830 or visiting www.unitedwayncms.com.
