Sense of community
evident in program
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Logansport. I was there to see Missy Iles who coordinates the backpack program at Fairview and Columbia Elementary schools. I have worked with Missy for several months as the program supplied the children with a backpack full of food to help sustain them during the weekends when school meals aren’t available. Missy is a woman of quiet strength and a genuine commitment to help those in need. She also had the unique ability to open her heart to include all those around her.
What I thought would be a fairly mundane visit turned into a surprising event. When I arrived at First Assembly of God Church, I noticed right away that the parking lot was home to two fire trucks and a fire command vehicle. When I entered the building, there was no emergency, just eight firemen happily helping Missy move cartons of food from the storeroom, opening boxes and stacking food neatly on the table. They moved about the task with light chatter and great sense of purpose. As the last of the food was arranged on the table, the men said quiet goodbyes and left the building.
In a few minutes, senior citizens, some using wheelchairs and walkers, began to arrive. Amid happy greetings and hugs from Missy, they made their way to a place at the table where they were preparing to pack the 250 backpacks that would later be driven to the schools by other church volunteers. The volunteers were greeted by Chris Hess and Liz Loposser, principals at the elementary schools served by this program. The principals chatted about the needs of the children at their schools and the tremendous help this program has been. They recalled that Joyce Gebhardt, executive director of the Cass County United Way, proposed and funded the backpack project, and at least seven groups that had come together to make this happen.
As I look back on my visit, I am overwhelmed with the sense of community that was visible and the incredible power of one woman to bring people together to do exactly what needed to be done. Thank you, Missy, and your wonderful volunteers. I feel like a better person because I know you and I know the Logansport community is a better place because you are there.
Kim Motuliak
Resource director
Food Finders Food Bank
Lafayette
Opinion
Public forum, July 2
- Opinion
-
-
Meeting students where they are
A mall-based alternative school in Indianapolis is working to reach students who weren’t able to succeed in a traditional classroom. The approach is similar to the one now being taken by Logansport schools.
-
A woman on both state tickets
Columnist Dave Kitchell writes about the running mates for gubernatorial hopefuls John Gregg and Mike Pence.
-
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.
-
Postal service listens to small towns
The U.S. Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open by scaling back the hours at those and other offices. The postal service deserves credit for listening to the concerns of its customers.
-
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.
-
Nuggets of wisdom for grads
It’s graduation season, the time of year when old codgers like me offer platitudes of advice to young whippersnappers preparing to take their first steps into the adult world.
- Public Forum
-
Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number. -
A history lesson on two wheels
The Cass County Historical Society staged its second annual bike tour last weekend. The event raises money for a great cause while offering participants to get some exercise and learn a bit of local history.
-
Epilogue leaves unanswered questions
Columnist Dave Kitchell reflects on where Richard Lugar went wrong.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Meeting students where they are
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
