The United Way Lowndes and Noxubee is bolstering education, health and financial stability initiatives across the Golden Triangle by funding five new agencies across multiple counties.
Executive Director Renee Sanders told The Dispatch Wednesday the addition is in an effort to expand impact.
After the United Way of North Central Mississippi disbanded in 2021 due to pandemic-related financial issues, United Way Lowndes and Noxubee expanded to cover the counties that were previously funded under the Starkville-based chapter, including Oktibbeha, Winston, Webster and Choctaw counties.
“Because now we cover more counties, we wanted to expand our reach and help more agencies so that they can do work in those counties,” she said. “In order to encourage the community to give funds in those other counties, we’ve got to show them that we’re giving back to those counties.”
Sanders said agencies picked up by United Way Lowndes and Noxubee must have a mission that falls under one of three categories: education, health or financial stability. With the addition of the five new agencies, the organization has 20 under its umbrella. As United Way affiliates, the organizations receive funding in the form of annual grants raised by workplace giving campaigns that are used by the nonprofits to advance their missions.
New agencies
Bully’s Pantry is one of the five organizations picked up by the group. The organization is a partnership between Mississippi State University’s Division of Student Affairs and Student Association that combats food insecurity on campus by supplementing the student population with basic food needs.
MSU’s Associate Dean of Students Tabor Mullen said the money provided by United Way Lowndes and Noxubee will allow Bully’s Pantry to further meet the needs of students.
“We’re going to use our grant from the United Way to supplement the food offerings in particular for our international students (by providing) foods that they have requested that are a little more difficult to find,” he said.
United Way also took the Starkville Salvation Army and the Starkville Boys and Girls Club under its umbrella. Both organizations had been funded agencies of the chapter previously based in Starkville.
FORGE Foundation, based in Clay County, will also receive funding from United Way Lowndes and Noxubee. The foundation was established in 2018 by a collective of local construction companies. The mission of FORGE is to empower students in their unique career paths by increasing vocational training.
Lowndes County Imagination Library, the fifth organization added under United Way’s umbrella, also champions education. The nonprofit, which was founded by and operates out of The Dispatch offices, aims to increase early literacy gains for Pre-K students by sending books directly to children’s homes and providing guardians with literacy building training.
LCIL Executive Director Courtney Laury said the partnership with United Way will allow the organization to expand its own mission in the community.
“Being accepted as an affiliate of United Way will allow Imagination Library to gain access to more resources for community outreach,” she said. “We will be able to partner up with other affiliates within United Way and ultimately work towards our goal of increasing our presence within homes in the community.”
Sanders said she hopes the addition of the new agencies encourages community members across each of the six counties to donate as campaign season comes around in the fall.
“There are so many people that live in one county and work in another county and worship in another county, and so we’re all kind of entwined together,” she said. “We are trying to help them make the impact that they want to.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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