A while back, the last grocery store in Itta Bena, Mississippi, closed, making it difficult for 1,800 residents to get fresh fruits and vegetables. The closure of the Big Star Supermarket forced people, like Ruthie, to drive 11 miles to the nearest Walmart to buy food. “You really have to plan your meals or otherwise you’ll drive 20 miles round trip just to get what you need for dinner,” says Ruthie. “This really affects our older residents in the community who can’t drive or rely on others to help them shop and get groceries.”

With diabetes and obesity escalating in the state, residents spanning several generations came together to address the well-being of the small community. Through a partnership with the Foundation and Communities For All Ages, a leadership team of residents ranging in age from 14 to 80 formed to improve local health outcomes. One of the first orders of business was establishing the first community garden.

Ruthie is a member of the resident leadership team that helped to get the garden started. “Without easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” she says, “many relied on what they could get, which tended to be less nutritional and contain lots of sodium and preservatives.”

When asked about how the garden was started, Ruthie says, “Lots of folks got involved. Residents, church groups, and students and professors from nearby Mississippi Valley State University lent a hand. Yes, we’re growing and providing fresh fruits and vegetables, but because of this effort we are now being called on to get residents of all ages involved with a number of other community issues.”

The Foundation supports projects that leverage our funding with local resources or sweat equity to address specific, resident-identified needs. This approach enables residents to have a stake in and share responsibility for improving their health.

 
Pictured: Ruthia and other members of the Itta Bena Resident Leadership Team