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PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Kimberly Terry 662.357.7794

                      Shulanda Johnson 662.449.5002

DONOR PROVIDES FUNDS FOR FOOD PANTRIES

Hollywood Casino employees donated $500 to the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi for distribution to area food pantries during the holidays.  With more and more people relying on the generosity and support of our local food pantries, monetary funds are a welcome resource.    The food pantries use the funds to purchase foods that are not donated or to resupply their shelves during the year.  .  “Many of our clients come in because they are out of work due to the economic downturn.  We are helping twice as many people this holiday season”, Frieda Eatwell, volunteer for the Interfaith Food pantry. 

“Our employees donated to our community fund and selected a charitable organization.  This is the second year of participation in the program and we are happy to support worthy causes”, said Kimberly Terry, Human Resource Administrative Assistant for Hollywood Casino. Ms. Terry worked with Shulanda Johnson, Coordinator for Volunteer Northwest Mississippi (the areas first volunteer center and an initiative of the Community Foundation), to see that the donation was distributed as needed.   The Community Foundation is granting $125 each to Hernando/Interfaith Council on Poverty Food Pantry, Olive Branch Emergency Food Ministry, Samaritans, and Sacred Heart/Walls Food Pantry.  “The Interfaith Council on Poverty food pantry could not operate without the support of the community”, said Tracy Crump, Director.  “We appreciate the Hollywood Casino employees' willingness to share what they have with those less fortunate in the Hernando/Nesbit area. Their generosity is a special blessing considering the uncertain state of our economy.”  All of the food pantries have reported a dramatic increase this year in the numbers of people asking for assistance.  Contact the Community Foundation at 662.449.5002 or  volunteer@cfnm.org to learn how to donate. 

Volunteer Northwest Mississippi was established in 2007 and works to connect people who care with causes that matter in an eight-county area.    To learn more about Volunteer Northwest Mississippi or to sign on as a volunteer go to www.volunteernwms.org.  To learn more about the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi go to www.cfnm.org.  

PICTURED:

On hand for the grant awards by the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi to the food pantries in DeSoto County made possible by a donation from Hollywood Casino employees were Volunteer Northwest MS Volunteer Coordinator Shulanda Johnson, Greg Schill of the Samaritans, Vice President of Human Resources for Hollywood Casino Don Sally, Fredia Eatwell of Hernando/Interfaith Food Pantry, Juanita Kerby of the Samaritans and Rev. Jim Glass , Director of the Samaritans.

 By:  Peggy Linton, Community Development Director for the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi