A rose to Helping Hands of Columbus, which recently announced it will join the network of food pantries across the state operated by Extra Table, a statewide nonprofit that provides food for thousands of Mississippians. Last year alone, Extra Table purchased and distributed more than six million pounds of food at more than 60 partner food pantries. Extra Table carefully screens its partner organizations, so the addition of Helping Hands is further proof of its value to the community. In the first quarter of this year, Helping Hands served 522 food clients, with 188 of those being new clients. Thanks to the extra food, Helping Hands is in a position to greatly expand its efforts to provide food for folks who need this assistance.
A rose to Doris McSwine and her group of organizers for putting together last week’s R.E. Hunt High School Reunion last Saturday. The all-day event, which culminated with a banquet, drew 225 former students and their families from the school’s opening in 1954 until the high school closed following the 1969-19070 school year when Columbus schools were integrated. The historic Black high school represents not only the generations of Black students who attended Hunt but an important part of the history of Columbus. Now, as the youngest of the Hunt students approach their 70s, the opportunities to gather and share memories of their beloved school are becoming more and more rare.
A rose to Mississippi University for Women for what promises to be another memorable Welty Gala on Oct. 24 at Trotter. The Gala is the kickoff event for the university’s Eudora Welty Writers Symposium. As is the custom, The W has secured a notable speaker for the Gala. Celebrated author Jeannette Wells, best known for her almost-Dickensian memoir “The Glass Castle” (2005) will be the feature event at the Gala, which raises money for the MUW Scholarship Fund. Walls’ memoir spent seven years on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2017 starring Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts and Brie Larson. “The Glass Castle” tells the story of Jeannette’s precarious, nomadic upbringing by an alcoholic father and her enabling mother. It is a stark account of a troubled childhood interrupted by intervals of adventure as the family makes its way throughout the West, then West Virginia and finally New York. It is a story of depredation, resiliency, understanding and reconciliation. It was named by Amazon as one of the top books of the decade. Walls continues the excellent tradition of captivating speakers who have headlined the Welty Gala. We look forward to this outstanding event.
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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