Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis recently announced it is providing up to $180,000 over three years to the Mid-South Food Bank to support mobile food pantries and meal distribution to individuals and families in need in Crittenden County.
The grant funds will support Mid-South Food Bank’s purchase of food and operations and transportation costs for two monthly mobile food pantry distributions at designated sites in the cities of Earle and Turrell in Crittenden County. About 500 meals, or the equivalent pounds of packaged food, will be distributed each month.
“Southland Casino Hotel is committed to supporting our local community throughout the year, especially when it comes to fighting hunger,” said Osi Imomoh, Southland’s president and general manager. “We are proud to once again partner with the Mid-South Food Bank to accomplish this for those in need in Crittenden County.”
The Mid-South Food Bank in Memphis aids those facing food insecurity across 31 counties in the region.
“We are committed to delivering nutritious and wholesome food to local agencies and distribution sites, so we are very pleased that Southland Casino Hotel is making this possible for us to accomplish in Crittenden County,” said Scott Fortin, president and CEO of the Mid-South Food Bank. “Our mission is to eliminate hunger in the region, and we’re proud to provide tens of millions of pounds of food to children, seniors and families in need annually.”
Southland, earlier this year, completed major projects to revitalize the kitchen and other facilities of two West Memphis nonprofit organizations that serve those in need: Hope House Ministries, which will assist with the mobile food pantry distributions in Earle and Turrell, and 8th Street Mission. At Hope House Ministries, Southland facilitated the purchase and installation of a new freezer and cooler, improving food storage capacity, creating new space for prepared foods to help ensure the consistent availability of perishable items for distribution. In total, Southland contributed about $123,000 to the project. Southland not only funded the projects, but its culinary and facilities teams also oversaw the purchase and installation of the equipment.
Southland also completed a project valued at more than $183,000 to enhance the facilities of the 8th Street Mission, which provides emergency housing and long-term recovery housing for members of the West Memphis community. The 8th Street project included a kitchen remodel with a new freezer and appliances that will improve the mission’s food production capabilities and maintain sanitary conditions; main bathroom upgrades, including the full renovation of the men’s and women’s bathrooms to ensure functionality and hygiene; and enhancements to the chapel/dining hall, including new tables, lighting and restored flooring, creating a more welcoming environment.
“We recognized the unique needs of these organizations,” Imomoh said. “We are happy to provide support to these vital programs for those in need in our region. It’s a philosophy that ladders down from the approach of Delaware North, our parent company.”
Construction is also continuing on the Carolyn & Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter, funded by a $1.7 million donation from Delaware North and Southland Casino Hotel to the city of West Memphis. The former Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Center was demolished, and installation of the storm, sewer and site water systems has been completed. Work on electrical, plumbing and interior construction is underway. The new shelter, expected to open in 2026, will be significantly larger than the current shelter and will address challenges in terms of location and maintenance.
Feature image: The 8th Street Mission’s kitchen was remodeled as part of Southland’s commitment to local food pantries. (Photo courtesy of Southland)
READ ALSO: Made in the Shade: ‘Blinding Out’ the Competition
