Bootheel Food Bank, Dexter organization to receive grants

SIKESTON, Mo -- The Bootheel Food Bank is one of 10 Southeast Missouri organizations to receive funding to feed, care or operate programs designed to improve the health care opportunities for residents.

Bootheel Food Bank will receive $100,000 over two years from the Missouri Foundation for Health.

According to Karen Green, executive director with the Bootheel Food Bank, the organization will receive $50,000 to be used through April 2009. The money is designated to be used for operations, she said.

"We are not for profit, and need every penny we can get," Green said. "We are so grateful to get it."

If the Food Bank meets the Missouri Foundation of Health's guidelines for the first year, a second $50,000 grant will be awarded. Green described the Missouri Foundation for Health as particular about who it supports. "That should say to the public that you should be supporting us, too."

Mississippi County Caring Communities in Charleston, Mo., received $68,000 in funding to provide medical care, support and counseling services to families in Mississippi County.

Another $100,000 was awarded to the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation for mental health, suicide prevention and maternal/child healthcare services for uninsured/underinsured individuals in Southeast Missouri.

Seven other regional organizations also received funds. All the grants are part of $1,140,428 awarded from the foundation.