A rose to all those who helped make Thursday’s Loaves and Fishes fund-raiser a success despite difficult circumstances. Normally the community soup kitchen’s annual fund-raiser features a sit-down dinner. As has been the case with the meals it serves daily, this year the fund-raiser became a take-out dinner. Even so, by Thursday — the day of the event — all 400 tickets had been sold. With ticket sales, donations and sponsorship, the event raised a little more than $9,000, money critical to keeping Loaves and Fishes in operation. COVID-19 has made providing those meals more costly as it converted from meals prepared and served at its facility to pre-packaged take-out meals. At a time when circumstances were most difficult, Loaves and Fishes and its volunteers, along with all those who bought tickets, rose to the occasion.
A rose to Golden Triangle voters as we head into Tuesday’s election. All indicators point to a vote turnout of record proportions throughout the nation and here in our communities as well. The U.S. Election Project predicts 150 million Americans will vote in the election, a 65 percent turnout. That would be the highest turnout rate since 1908. Much of that projection is based on the unprecedented number of people who have already voted. Estimates are that almost a third of registered voters have already cast their ballots during the early-voting period available in all states except Mississippi. Despite that, Mississippians are voting in staggering numbers by casting absentee ballots. In Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties, absentee voting is almost double what it was in 2016. Circuit clerk offices were open all day to accommodate voters on the last day to cast absentee ballots in person. We encourage those who didn’t or couldn’t vote by absentee ballot to go to the polls. This will be a historic election. Make sure you’re a part of it by going to the polls Tuesday.
A rose to all those who have taken up the fight against breast cancer. An estimated 42,000 people will die from breast cancer by the end of the year, a grim reminder of the challenge before us. There is, however, good news. Breast cancer survival rates continue to climb. A diagnosis is not a death sentence as was often the case, 30, 40, 50 years ago. Much of the progress in making breast cancer a treatable disease is based on medical advancement. But another key factor is early detection. That’s why Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which ended Saturday, is so important. The Dispatch is proud to be a supporter of this effort. Each Friday during the month of October, we reported the stories of breast cancer survivors, whose experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection and treatment. Their courage and strength are an inspiration to all who may someday find themselves in a similar fight. We salute our breast cancer survivors and all those who rally in the support of this important cause.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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