Calbrina Ward-Woods with Blessings for All, Empowered by Faith, Inc. wants to have a designated site in Vaiden.
Woods has a non-profit organization that gives back to those in the community. Most recently, she’s doing a summer feeding program for children under the age of 18 through the summer.
Woods also gives away food boxes to those in need. She began giving away the boxes in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic. She also holds a back-to-school event, organizes Toys for Tots, and plans other events.
Woods also works in Montgomery County, where her nonprofit is based and Grenada County. She told the board that when she gave out the boxes, former mayor Mel Hawthorne, would pick them up and distribute them in Vaiden.
Now, she was in need of a new contact person. Woods said she works with Latonya “Tinkerbell” Caffey to help organize giveaways and events in Vaiden. But, if she had a space in Vaiden, it would make it a lot easier.
“I have three different programs going on right now. We do household boxes, kid boxes and senior citizen boxes,” she said.
Woods told the board and Mayor Stella Washington-Bell that she applied for funding to give away senior citizen boxes.
She said if approved, the boxes will be given away twice a month. Woods said the boxes will have mostly non-perishables and items that have a shelf life. She said the room would be under lock and key, and if something arises in Vaiden where a resident may need help, the town can give the box out themselves.
She said Vaiden had received boxes before but some were given out to churches and that can’t happen. Woods said the boxes have to be accounted for, and the residents have to come get them personally.
“Now, we have given boxes to people who can’t get out. But, I have to have all of the boxes accounted for,” she said. “I’m responsible for them.”
The board approved a space at the Vaiden High School gymnasium for Woods.
Bell told her she could contact her and be her new contact for Vaiden.
Also, Board Attorney Lee Abraham said he’s looked over the state statute about prohibiting four wheelers and golf carts in town streets. Abraham gave the board and Bell examples of ordinances from the City of Tupelo and the City of Ridgeland.
Bell asked the board to look over the ordinance. The matter was tabled until next month.
Also, Abraham told the board that if people wanted to sell food, they would have to have a health permit.
“They’ve got to have a license. The public has to know that you’re good,” Abraham said.
“But, at the pop-ups, they don’t just sell food,” Alderman Theo Purnell said.
Abraham said the town doesn’t have to allow the pop-ups shops. He also said those doing pop-ups should have a business license and stated that the town should be able to collect a sales tax from those selling.
