United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee kicked off its annual fundraising campaign with a food truck festival Thursday at Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market.
Six food trucks encircled the farmers market as representatives of 13 of the United Way’s 15 funded agencies told visitors about the programs they offer.
The United Way’s goal is to raise $500,000 during its campaign, according to Executive Director Renee Sanders.
“Our goal is $500,000, but I am aiming for $1 million,” she said. “I truly believe that United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee has enough support from the community and local businesses for us to raise $1 million.”
The campaign kickoff is a way for United Way to connect the agencies it serves with campaign coordinators, who are representatives from participating companies.
“We’re the voice for our funded agencies,” Sanders said. “We’re the only nonprofit that can go to these companies and ask for a payroll deduction.”
Board President Karen Stanley said this was the first time United Way used a food truck festival to kick off the nonprofit’s yearly campaign.
“One of the reasons we brought all these food trucks in was we were hoping that the community would come out and be able to see the wonderful organizations that often they don’t see. If they donate to United Way, (those agencies are) where their funds go to,” she said. “We’ve got almost all of our nonprofits that we support here. Our goal is to open people’s eyes to what they do in the community.”
Taco Amigo food truck co-owner Isabel Vanegas said she likes participating in events like the United Way campaign kickoff because it is a way to support the community that has been supportive of her business.
Besides being the steward of the funds it receives, United Way hosts volunteer opportunities through its funding agencies and other activities, Sanders said.
“We do a lot for our community. This past year, in 2020, we did four food drives. We had lines for days with those food drives, giving away free food,” she said. “We’ve done one already this year. Our goal is to help 1,200 families.”
United Way works with companies to allow deductions from their employees’ paychecks that goes to the nonprofit. United Way then gives that money to its 15 funded agencies and makes sure the money is used locally and responsibly, Sanders said.
Those who are retired or are not employed at a business participating in the United Way campaign can visit https://www.uwlc-ms.org/ or call the office at 662-370-1922 to set up automatic bank account withdrawals or billing, Sanders said.
The campaign season ends the Friday before Thanksgiving.
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