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In an 11th hour effort the Simpson County Development Foundation along with the help of Zoning Administrator, Penny Aguirre applied for and received notice they will be receiving a grant for the City of Magee.
The 160-page application was received on Wednesday by SCDF Executive Director, Pat Brown it was submitted back for approval on Friday of the same week by noon. Brown had been asked by Alderman Patrick Brown to assist in offering meals through the PriorityOne Senior Citizen Center. Brown said one of his constituents, Melinda Green, had been working on offering services in the community. The amount of the grant applied for was $15,000.
It was determined there was a grant available through Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, CMPDD, in which both Pat Browns serve on. Brown as an alderman and the other Brown as his role as director of the Foundation. Dr. Chelsa Crittle, co-ordinator of the Congregant Meals program for CMPDD.
The grant will allow the Senior Citizen center the opportunity to offer meals at the former YMCA facility on a daily basis, Monday through Friday. Additionally, with the assistance of the city of Magee, there will be other services made available to the senior residents of the city.
The PriorityOne Senior Citizen Center was promoted by former Aldermen Whitney Baker and Matthew Hickman. The purpose was to provide activities as well as other program to the senior adult in the community. The program has been in full swing for over a year despite set-backs by covid.
The plan is to have a full-time/ part-time position of director who will be responsible for providing initially 25 meals per day. Additionally other program opportunities will be made available to the senior adults. The program is administered by the city but will have their own board that sets policy for the senior center.
Pat Brown, with the Foundation, was made aware of the program though his association with CMPDD. He was appointed to that role by the Simpson County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Donnie Welch. There were several requirements in order to get the grant approval including a director. Brown said, “The city has been extremely accommodating to work with and sees this opportunity to help a segment of the community, senior citizens, who may have otherwise neglected. Additionally there should be other larger funding opportunities moving forward.”
Mike Monk, former Simpson County, and executive director of the CMPDD, said, “This was an opportunity to aid the residents of the community and we like it when we can give back to our communities through valuable programs like the Congregant Meal program.
Dr. Chelsa Crittle, Pat Brown, Executive Director, Simpson County Development Foundation, and Mike Monk, Director of Central Mississippi Planning and Development District take a moment to acknowledge grant for the PriorityOne Community Center.
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