United Way of North Central Mississippi kickstarts 8th United We Feed event

United Way partnered with several food pantries within Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston County in an effort to help distribute food to those in need.

Way of north central mississippi is kickstarting its 8th annual united we feed campaign tomorrow.

Wtva's rhea thornton is in ackerman where one of several food pantries in the area looking to help provide food for those in need.

I'm here in ackerman at one of the food pantries united way has partnered with to distribute food throughout the surrounding communities in its annual united we feed event.

See in the community."

" every little bit helps."

Starting tomorrow, united way of north central mississippi is partnering with numerous food pantries in oktibbeha, choctaw, webster, and winston county to distribute food to the people in the community.

Dr. brittney oliver is the executive director of united way.

She said prior to the pandemic, about one in five individuals experience food insecurity in our area.

Dr. brittney oliver - executive director of the united north central mississippi: "people with a loss of employment, or reduction of employment, and struggling to really make ends meet, there's an increased need to provide basic necessities like food."

So, to decrease the difficulties for others, dr. oliver and united way are looking for non-perishable foods to redistribute to pantries in the four counties.

Dr. brittney oliver - executive director of the united north central mississippi: "typically we think about canned fruits and vegetables, but juices, snacks, breakfast items, that we can store."

Although united way is leading the campaign... dr. oliver said it's up to the community members to come out and help their fellow neighbors.

Dr. brittney oliver - executive director of the united north central mississippi: "we know that the community is really what drives our efforts like united we feed, so it's a partnership.

It's a true collaboration from everyone to really respond to the needs that we see in the community."

Since march, united way has fed more than 500 families in the area... fed more than 500 families in the area... now, they don't have a goal set for this month-long collaboration, but dr. oliver did say numerous times that any donations matter.

Reporting live in ackerman, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.

In louisville..

City leaders did not