VICKSBURG, miss. – International Paper’s Vicksburg Mill awarded a $50,000 grant to Good Shepherd in a ceremony this morning. Good Shepherd is an agency that serves one of River City’s most historic and impoverished neighborhoods. This capital campaign grant, funded by the IP Foundation, will enable Good Shepherd to complete much-needed renovations to the facility’s gymnasium.
“Vicksburg Mill began producing paper in Warren County nearly 57 years ago, providing a reliable livelihood for thousands of Warren County women and men. When the mill considered making this significant donation to charitable organizations, we knew it had to be an agency whose longevity and strength in the community mirrors our own,” said Oren Ruth, mill manager.
“In many cases, multiple generations of a family have worked in our factory, so we fully understand the importance of caring for families now and in the future,” said Ruth. “Good Shepherd provides important services in our community and we are proud to partner with them through this donation and future hands-on volunteering.”
“We have come a long way”
Good Shepherd opened as a daycare in 1987. Today it offers preschool/afterschool, summer camp, mentoring, life skills training, financial literacy and the Julia’s Place special needs program.
The Good Shepherd building was constructed in 1939 on the site of Vicksburg’s first Freedman School. Over the decades, it has housed Cherry Street Elementary, McIntyre Middle/High School, and several community nonprofits.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors who have joined our mission, we have come a long way, from pools that capture water in the gymnasium to a new roof and partially renovated building,” said Cindy McCarley, Executive Director. “Donations like IP’s Vicksburg Mil allow us to continue to create spaces to fulfill our mission to educate, inspire and empower individuals, children and families to live their best lives.”
Vicksburg Mill: Sowing Seed
The Vicksburg plant relies on strong, healthy Mississippi trees to produce the container box, but the plant also helps enrich our community through grants like this one, as well as additional annual IP Foundation grants of $57,000 and $28,000 in sponsorships and donations each year.
In addition, the members of the mill team have the following tasks:
- Package and donate feminine hygiene products to 500 girls in the Vicksburg Warren County School District each fall. Last year they made the same donation to Rolling Fork.
- Donate clothes, toys and bicycles to The Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program.
- Five pallets of water were donated to Warren County Emergency Management after severe storms in April knocked out power and water across the county.
- Packed food packages at Good Shepherd for the seniors on Thanksgiving.
“We partner with Vicksburg not only financially and with donations, but also in developing and maintaining real relationships,” Ruth said. “We value the role we play here in the River City, and I believe our service to the community demonstrates our commitment.”
See a typo? Report it here.
