Lunch With a Purpose supports First State Community Action
Lunch With a Purpose brought together 200 attendees March 1 at the Clubhouse at Baywood Greens in Long Neck, to support First State Community Action Agency.
Cheryl Mitchell of Lunch With a Purpose welcomed everyone and noted the important work done by First State CAA, including the Pallet village erected behind First State headquarters in partnership with Springboard Collaborative. These cabin-like units are now completely full and have provided needed housing for the homeless.
Bernice Edwards, First State CAA executive director, noted the agency is celebrating 58 years of service to area communities and statewide Delaware in 2023. First State CAA services cover all aspects of community needs: after-school programs, rental assistance, food pantry, housing, employment, families in crisis and tax preparation assistance. For more information, go to firststatecaa.org.
Dell Hudson, First State’s college and career readiness coordinator, spoke about the Teens With Goals group consisting of approximately 50 participants. Hudson introduced two program participants, A’Zaiyah Fullman and Jacqueline Matias, who spoke about their experiences in the program and their college search. Both teens are National Honor Society members, and Matias has been accepted to Delaware State University.
Valerie Wright, senior companion program manager, told how seniors receive assistance that allows them to continue to live independently. There are currently 174 seniors in the program.
In concluding remarks, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long acknowledged the many accomplishments of First State CAA, Edwards, and all those who support this valued resource for Sussex County communities.
Donated funds raised in total were $9,275, along with in-kind donations of $8,300, and 2,500 pounds of food for the First State pantry.
Champions for Children’s Mental Health will be the beneficiary of the Wednesday, April 5 Lunch With a Purpose event at Signatures at Bayside near Selbyville.
For more information, find Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware on Facebook.
