​Happy Friday y’all! Thanksgiving is less than a month away and it is that time of year when it is important to give back to your community. Today we are going to get inspired by a local non-profit that does amazing work all over Mississippi! I am talking about the Mississippi Food Network!
 
The Mississippi Food Network has been giving back to the state of Mississippi since 1984. In their first year, they were able to donate 139,000 pounds of food to those in need. Today, the Mississippi Food Network distributes more than 21.2 million pounds of food each year
 
One thing that the Mississippi Food Network loves to help coordinate and plan is food drives. All the food that is donated at the food drives is used to restock local food pantries, youth programs, soup kitchens, senior citizen programs, day care facilities, disaster programs, shelter programs and human service programs. If you are interested in having your organization host a food drive, you can contact Stacy Cain at [email protected] or call 601-973-7089.
 
The Mississippi Food Network also has endless opportunities to physically volunteer at fundraisers or events near you. Their website lists their serval programs that they offer, which are also great ways to get involved. One way to be in the know on locations and dates is to always check their website at msfoodnet.org. Their upcoming volunteer Saturday dates are November 11th and December 9th, which are just in time to give back before the holidays!
 
Again, The Mississippi Food Network does outstanding work throughout all of Mississippi every day. There are numerous ways to become involved right in your hometown or the towns surrounding you. It is a daily and constant fight to reduce the amount of hunger in our communities, however, it is an issue worth fighting for. Make sure to check out the Mississippi Food Network’s website daily to get involved and help end hunger within your local communities! And remember y’all to get inspi

​Happy Thursday y’all! Today I wanted to share with everyone about some information about an organization that constantly fights and giveback every day. With it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, today we are going to be talking about the American Cancer Society!
 
The American Cancer Society is the top and leading organization that solely focuses on fighting against cancer. Not only is their main goal to find a cure, but they also strive to improve the lives of those affected by cancer with the help of research, advocacy, and support. The American Cancer Society lives by their core values, which are Integrity, Compassion, Courage, Determination, and Diversity. By living amongst their core values, the ACS is able to make positive impacts the lives of everyone affected by cancer.
 
What makes the American Cancer Society so special is that they have local programs and services across the entire country! In Mississippi alone, there are endless opportunities to get involved and give back between galas, Relay for Life, and even the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Movement, which is on October 28th. Mississippi also has lodging and transportation for those who are receiving treatment or need assistance going to and from doctor’s appointments.
 
The American Cancer Society also offers 24-hour support for any individual who wants to learn more about the type of cancer they are affected by or to just talk to someone. My favorite thing about the American Cancer Society is that they never let anyone feel like they are alone with their constant support!
 
If you are interested in giving back with the American Cancer Society, you can head to their website cancer.org where you can find dates and times of local events, learn more about their programs or services, and to receive any form of support that you may need! Again, the American Cancer does amazing work to help fight back against cancer and each individual who works for or volunteers with the organization truly wants to best for everyone! If you are wanting to feel inspired, then make sure to check out the American Cancer Society to becom

Happy Friday y’all! In just two short weeks, the 38th Annual Natchez Balloon Festival will be returning to the Miss-Lou area for another year of fun! The Natchez Balloon Festival is an event where people from all over the country travel to so they can experience a festival like no other.
 
Every year, Natchez hosts this family-friendly event on the Mississippi River where people can enjoy good food, live music, exhilarating rides, and most importantly, watch the hot air balloons race against each other! The Balloon Festival will begin on Friday October 20th and end on Sunday October 22nd. The entire weekend will be jammed-packed with activities and things to do for everyone and any age!
 
Below is the schedule of the Balloon Festival from Friday until Sunday. Balloon flights are TBD because of weather and wind.
 
Friday October 20th:

• Morning Balloon Flight: TBD
• Afternoon Balloon Flight: TBD
• Festival Gates Open: 4:00 P.M.
• Balloon Glow at Festival Site: 6:45 P.M.

 
Saturday October 21st:

• Morning Flight: TBD
• Festival Gates Open: 11:00 A.M.
• Elanore Swede: 12:30 P.M.
• Kevin & The Blues Grovers: 2:00 P.M.
• Afternoon Flight: TBD
• Rumours – Fleetwood Mac Tribute: 3:30 P.M.
• The Suffers: 5:30 P.M.
• Sister Hazel: 7:30 P.M.

 
Sunday October 22nd:

• Morning Flight: TBD
• Afternoon Flight: TBD

 
Tickets can be purchased at the gates upon entry to see the live performances and to access the rides and food. You can also buy tickets in advanced at the Historic Natchez Foundation or on their website natchezballoonfestival.com. Weekend passes are available along with daily passes. There will also be a free parking lot adjacent to the festival and there will be shuttles for those who wish to park at the visitors center.
 
The Natchez Balloon Festival is a fan-favorite by anyone who attends and is something that is looked forward to every year. Again, there is something for everyone between the live entertainment, rides, food trucks, and hot air balloon races. Natchez is a town full of history and southern hospitality. Make sure to visit Natchez the weekend of October 21st to really see all that Mississippi has to offer! And remember to get inspired y’all!

​It is officially October which means it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During the month of October, the American Cancer Society strives to find a cure and decrease the number of individuals who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Everyday, members of the American Cancer Society work extensive hours to raise money for treatments, research, and other medicines along with lodging, hospital bills, and transportation for those who have been diagnosed. The Society is full of kind-hearted and genuinely good people who ensure that no one fights alone.
 
During the year of 2023, approximately 290,560 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of the Making Strides movement, that number will drop and continue to drop each and every year. The Making Strides movement raises money through fundraising along with their annual walk and donates all proceeds to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Making Strides offers many services like one-on-one support to patients with breast cancer in a digital and in person way. They also have a 24/7 helpline that will be there for patients regardless of what time it is. Making it known that no one is alone during their fight is the most important thing and the American Cancer Society and Making Strides movement does a phenomenal job reassuring that.
 
On Saturday October the 28th, the annual Making Strides of Central Mississippi walk will be taking place at the Mississippi Brave Stadium and will be starting at 7:00 A.M.. It is never too late to sign up or donate, so whether you will be in the area or not, there is an endless amount of way for you to become involved!
 
If you are wanting to make a donation or register to participate in this year’s walk, make sure to head to the American Cancer Society’s website where you can search for fundraisers and events local to your area. You can also follow the American Cancer Society on Twitter and Facebook for updates and to just follow along! The Making Strides movement and annual walk truly is an amazing way to give back and to make sure that no one feels alone. Each step is one step closer to fighting the battle of breast cancer and finding a cure!