A rose to Loaves and Fishes as it prepares for its primary fund-raiser. Although the Columbus nonprofit doesn’t perform the miracle of its namesake, Loaves and Fishes has achieved wonders of its own, providing hundreds of thousands of meals since its inception in 2008. Last year, the group’s volunteers served about 80,000 meals to those in need. Over the past five years, that number has grown by about 10,000 meals per year. The nonprofit typically serves lunches Monday through Saturday, thanks to the help of 46 churches and civic organizations who rotate preparing food. To support that effort, Loaves and Fishes holds a special dinner – a fundraiser that allows the community to support its efforts. This year’s dinner will be held Thursday. Members of the Exchange Club of Columbus will deliver plates of pork loin, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, cornbread and dessert directly to the cars of ticket holders in the Annunciation Activity Center parking lot at 823 College St. Tickets for the fundraiser are $20 – or two for $35 – and are available at Annunciation Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and First Methodist Church of Columbus. We urge citizens to support Loaves and Fishes by purchasing tickets.

A rose to our local economy, whose growth and potential has attracted the attention of two exciting projects. A Georgia-based developer announced plans to develop a major new housing development in east Oktibbeha County. Forest Street Partners’ plans call for a development that will include 150 new homes on a 98-acre site off of Highway 182 in east Oktibbeha County. The project will eventually house a fully gated community with swimming and recreational areas. Developments of this scale are not built on a whim. Instead, they are a reflection of the Golden Triangle’s robust economy and potential for more growth. Similarly, Rural King has announced intentions to locate one of its stores in the old K-Mart building in Columbus, breathing life into a long-dormant property. These developments affirm what we already know: The Golden Triangle is an appealing area to live, work and play.

A rose to the FORGE organization, which kicked off Careers in Construction Month by distributing 180 tool kits to seventh-graders at Columbus Middle School. This initiative introduces students to skilled trades, aligning with FORGE’s mission to promote skilled trades and career readiness, inspiring students to explore careers in construction and helping to build a stronger workforce for the future. This effort serves as a precursor to the FORGE Your Path Career Expo, where students will participate in more career exploration during eighth grade. Since its launch, the program has successfully distributed 500 tool kits and received enthusiastic feedback from students, parents, and educators. It has long been observed that if you put something in the hands of a kid, whether it’s a ball, a book or the latest device, their natural curiosity will inspire them to figure out how to use it. That’s true with tools, as well. The ability to use basic tools benefits all children, even those who don’t pursue a career in fields where those tools are used. It’s truly a life skill all children should learn.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.