The United Way of Leflore County says it’s thankful to everyone who is working to serve others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each of its 13 nonprofits it supports has been affected by the novel coronavirus and the national guidelines in place to help slow the spread.
The United Way will be receiving $2,600 to be used directly on COVID-19 relief efforts. United Way Worldwide was awarded a $3 million grant from the Truist Foundation and is dispersing the money to all United Way organizations across the country.
The United Way of Leflore County’s Executive Committee approved that the money will be split evenly between the Community Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, as both organizations continue to make sure that low-income, disabled, underprivileged and elderly people keep getting the meals and food that they need.
The United Way of Leflore County continues to support each of its agencies financially and with hands-on assistance.
To help any of the United Way’s agencies monetarily or through volunteer time, call Courtney Kimmel, executive director, at 392-3036.
The 13 nonprofits that the United Way of Leflore County supports have recently reported on how they have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic:
ArtPlace Mississippi
How it is affected and responding: ArtPlace Mississippi is providing virtual program offerings, as it is currently closed for classes inside the building. “ArtPlace at Home” program offerings can be found at www.artplacems-.com/artplace-at-home.
Needs: ArtPlace is launching its #giftofart campaign and is in need of financial support from donors. More information about this can be found at www.artplacems.com/giftofart
Beacon Harbor
How it is affected and responding: Beacon Harbor is open, and the Life Help day program staff is continuing to serve in homes. They are not allowing visitors at this time, but phone calls are welcome. Currently, three residents have temporarily moved in with family but will return when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Beacon Harbor is currently serving 21 residents.
Beacon Harbor is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, such as washing hands, sanitizing surfaces and social distancing. The residents are able to watch church service online. Mary Jo Upchurch donated double-layer cloth masks to Beacon Harbor.
Needs: Beacon Harbor is in need of a few more masks so that all staff members have their own. The staff is in need of about a dozen or more masks. Beacon Harbor also requests prayer for the residents who don’t get to see their families.
Boy Scouts
How the troops are affected and responding: Due to COVID-19, Scout troops are not currently meeting. The Chickasaw Council is implementing ways for Scouts to do “virtual badges” via Zoom. The Council is doing board reviews online to assist with Scouts working toward their Eagle badges. In addition, the staff and troop leaders are continuing to check on Scouts and supporters throughout their area.
Boys & Girls Club Greenwood Unit
How it is affected and responding: The Boys & Girls Club Greenwood Unit is currently closed. Its No. 1 priority is the safety of club members and staff. The unit is using virtual learning programs, phone conferences and Zoom to communicate with club members, parents and staff. The unit is offering homework help, conflict management skills, STEM and many more programs.
Boys & Girls Club MVSU Unit
How it is affected and responding: The club is currently closed because of the COVID-19 guidelines. The club director and volunteers are offering virtual learning through Zoom, Duo, Messenger and by phone calls for the members. In addition, they have printed out and delivered school packets for children who don’t have internet or wifi. The club has a “Healthy Habits” program featuring outside game play with members via Zoom. The club has members who were affected by the virus. It is supporting them through phone calls and care packages.
Community Kitchen
How it is affected and responding: The Community Kitchen is continuing to serve 165 to 200 meals a day. It has adjusted to the new guidelines and is now serving meals in to-go containers, where customers walk up and do a “take out” from a table in the doorway of the Community Kitchen. Everyone is staying 6 feet apart on the sidewalk as they wait for their food. The staff is wearing gloves and masks and taking extra sanitary precautions.
Delta Grace
How it is affected and responding: During the first weeks of the pandemic, Delta Grace donated more than 1,000 masks to the medical personnel of Sunflower County. All of the mission teams for March through May have postponed to later dates.
Food Pantry
How it is affected and responding: The Food Pantry has remained open to continue to hand out boxes of food to qualified individuals and families. In compliance with new guidelines, customers are staying in their vehicles while volunteers get their information and fill out paper work. They are then given a ticket for their box of food that is delivered to their car. Because the Food Pantry’s normal volunteers are at higher risk, the United Way of Leflore County has provided volunteers to work at the Food Pantry and help ensure everyone is still being served.
Needs: The Food Pantry expects higher than normal amounts of “emergency boxes” for the next couple of months. The Food Pantry is asking for additional support through financial gifts and non-perishable food gifts.
Fuller Center for Housing
How it is affected and responding: Fuller Center for Housing had teamed up with Delta Design Build to renovate several homes. Those homes have been completed, and they are now on hold. The center will work with homeowners who currently have loans through them, too, as many struggle to make payments.
Leflore County 4-H
How it is affected and responding: The Extension Service continues to serve the people of Leflore County and Mississippi. The Extension is available to answer questions, whether it’s about horticulture, pond management, private applicator training, livestock, canning, childcare, financial management, sewing or youth-related, to name a few. The Extension is utilizing distance learning and social media platforms as much as possible to deliver programs or to communicate with the public.
Leflore County Humane Society
How it is affected and responding: The Humane Society is closed to the public. People can go online to see what animals are available for adoption. Those who go to the shelter to adopt must wear gloves and a mask and stay 6 feet apart.
Needs: The shelter is need of hand sanitizer, brooms, dust pans, mops, rubber gloves, 30-gallon garbage bags and paper towels. Supplies can be dropped off at the shelter, 601 Ione St., between 1 and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Girl Scouts
How the troops are affected and responding: Girl Scouts of Leflore County troops have stopped meeting. Troop 30093, Deborah Harris Troop, has different level messenger groups that the members use to communicate and check on one another. They have video chats with Scouts and parents and do small home projects and post them in the messenger group. The annual Girl Scout summer trip is canceled, but there are plans to do something for the troop members when the pandemic subsides.
At the council level, there is a collection of digital learning experiences, including 26 virtual badge labs (14 more in production), four Facebook Live events scheduled (three more planned), and virtual troop meetings every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Some of the activities are available to members only, and some are open to the general public. Staff members are answering phone calls, emails and web-based live chats. Resources are available at www.girlscoutshs.org or by calling 800-624-4185.
The Salvation Army
How it is affected and responding: The Salvation Army of Greenwood has adjusted its operations and services. The thrift store closed March 18 to practice safe social distancing recommendations and will remain closed until further notice. The Salvation Army social services program has remained available to the public. To practice social distancing, all social service appointments are by phone only. Clients in need of social services assistance can call 455-9679 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Needs: The Salvation Army needs support to continue to serve the increased needs of the community. It is in need of non-perishable food items for its food pantry.
