Starkville-based United Way chapter faces financial uncertainty fueled by pandemic
Randy Davis was running out of options. The 41-year-old Starkville resident lost his job at an area manufacturing plant in February 2020 and was surviving off his 401K as he fruitlessly looked for work during the opening months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonprofits still find ways to serve despite financial hardship
Candy Crecink, the executive director of the United Way of North Central Mississippi, saw something astounding when volunteers collected donations for the branch’s May Day food drive on May 1, held in the name of COVID-19 relief.
Starkville Utilities, TVA, United Way donate $15K to help pay late utility bills
Starkville Utilities Department announced Tuesday that a partnership with Tennessee Valley Authority has brought in $7,500 to help cover Oktibbeha County residents’ late utility bills, less than two weeks before the Mississippi Public Service Commission lifts its suspension on disconnections for missed and late payments.
Organizations helping homeless during cold snap
Candy Crecink keeps a box of tissues in her office at United Way of North Central Mississippi for those who arrive in desperate need with nowhere else to go.
Government shutdown could affect federal grants for nonprofits
Every month, Helping Hands director Nancy Guerry sees anywhere from 50 to 200 individuals seeking one-time financial or food assistance come through her doors.
United Way NCM ‘United We Feed’ hopes to fill food pantries
United Way leaders have launched a major food drive to help restock area food pantries and feed hungry families across a four-county area that includes Oktibbeha, Choctaw, Webster and Winston Counties.
United Way director stepping down
United Way executive director Danny Avery has resigned his position and will be stepping down June 29.
United Way, Emergency Management Agency host disaster response training
When tornadoes hit East Columbus and New Hope in 2014, roughly 50 volunteers from the southeast United States and Golden Triangle regions swarmed to Columbus to remove debris and clean up homes.
Making a difference: CMSD, United Way see success with volunteer program, hope for more
For Berry Hinds, one of the best things about being a part of the Volunteer Impact Partners program is knowing he’s making a difference in young students’ lives.
Baptist to offer heart screening with donation to United Way
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle celebrates Heart Month during February by offering the public a special reduced price screening for heart disease while also generating needed funding for nonprofit organizations in Lowndes County.
United Way kicks off annual fundraising campaign
About a year ago, Todd Davis and Patricia Brock got a phone call asking them to come out to the PACCAR plant.
Classroom Volunteer Program: ‘Planting a seed’
Elementary students in the Columbus Municipal School District may soon have another mentoring parental figure in their lives — if enough local adults volunteer their time.
Fan drives keep locals cool
Lifelong Columbus resident Mary Mullins says she doesn’t need much — but some way to keep cool during the sweltering Mississippi summer heat is something she can’t do without.
Helping Hands, United Way need community’s help with fan drive
In response to oppressive temperatures, United Way of Lowndes County and Helping Hands are teaming up for a seventh annual summer fan drive.
Brock leaving United Way
A season is drawing to a close for Patricia Brock.
Volunteer Columbus marks MLK Day of Service with coat drive
In observance of the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Jan. 18, the United Way’s Volunteer Columbus is asking for donations of new and gently-used coats for children and adults this week.
Our View: United Way makes our charities stronger, better
More than 20 years ago, German chemical company BASF created a slogan that still ranks among the most effective in advertising history: “At BASF, we don’t make a lot of the products you buy; We make a lot of the products you buy better.”
United Way holding final emergency prep event
United Way of Lowndes County will host its final emergency preparation forum this coming Tuesday in New Hope.
New volunteer center director looks to get word out
Renee Sanders says it sometimes feels like 20 percent of the community shoulders 80 percent of the community’s volunteer needs.
Donations, volunteers increasing in Lowndes
Charitable giving is still lagging in Lowndes County following the recession, but United Way expects it to pick up again next year.