Starkville Strong
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a support system and continuum of care to Starkville residents through essential programming that that will improve the chances of finding and maintaining stability for our neighbors in need. We connect on economic empowerment. Our efforts within the community focus on four main pillars: food insecurity, homelessness, housing insecurity and community advocacy. We work closely with our community support network and partnerships to provide a more efficient support system for those in need in Oktibbeha County.
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Who We Are
Starkville Strong was started as a Facebook group to help support Starkville small businesses and restaurants during the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. As more of our community's needs became visible, Brandi Herrington took over leadership of the organization and Starkville Strong expanded its efforts to include addressing issues surrounding local food insecurity, housing insecurity, homelessness and the creation of a sustainable social support network in Starkville.
Starkville Strong officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit in May 2021. During our growth and outreach, we have transitioned and adapted the organization to better serve and impact the Starkville area as a whole. We have spearheaded a number of community-minded projects, focused on collaboration within the community, and we continue to find new ways to serve our neighbors.
What We Do
Making A Difference
Addressing Food Insecurity
Feeding the Need
Starkville Strong tackles food insecurity in Starkville, MS, through programming and a comprehensive approach that ensures access to food and hygiene items for those in need.
At the heart of our efforts are the 8 Little Pantries we maintain. Six more recently built and placed are strategically located throughout the Starkville community, offering 24/7 access to non-perishable food items and hygiene products. We utilize the community and our partner support network to help ensure the pantries are continuously filled. This creates a self-sustaining support network for our food insecure neighbors.
This collaborative initiative fosters community engagement by encouraging crowdsourcing for donations and contributions toward an event held on the fourth Sunday of each month.
How is our giveaway different?
It focuses on community empowerment and sustainability. Unlike traditional food giveaways that provide temporary relief, this initiative encourages ongoing community involvement, where neighbors actively contribute. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members, creating a self-sustaining support network.
The program also emphasizes personal connections, as community members directly engage with those in need, fostering empathy and understanding while addressing food insecurity in a way that builds lasting community bonds.Participants can choose what they need by “shopping” the available items set out. Through the dedication of volunteers, service providers, churches, nonprofits, community groups, and clubs, we have built a network of unwavering support that embraces each participant. Together, we foster an environment where everyone feels genuinely cared for and acknowledged, reinforcing the powerful message that no one in our community is alone.
We provide client food and hygiene sack vouchers that can be redeemed for necessary items, empowering individuals to select what they need most. For homebound or disabled clients, we offer delivery services to ensure they receive the support they require without barriers. Through these initiatives, Starkville Strong is committed to creating a resilient community where everyone has access to the essentials for a healthy life.
Homeless Outreach
Helping The Community
Starkville Strong has been working hard to address the issue of homelessness in our community. We have been vocal advocates for our homeless neighbors with the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and the Oktibbeha County Supervisors. We have also partnered with other organizations such as Mississippi United to End Homelessness (MUTEH) and the SOCSD Discovery Center to help our clients move out of homelessness and into stability and independence. For more information about our most up-to-date efforts addressing homelessness, please reach out to a member of our team or click on the "More Info" button.
Housing Insecurity
Filling the Gaps
In August 2021, 65+ tenants were evicted all at once, creating Starkville's largest mass eviction to date. Due to no fault of their own, tenants' leases were not renewed. Starkville Strong and the NAACP worked together to help those affected and during the momentum of this crisis, we banded together to make change for those who needed us most.
The well-documented conditions of these apartments and our efforts to assist those in the midst of crisis in "China Town", made local, state, national and international news. During this movement and rallying of community support, we helped uncover real stories of people living in horrible conditions around Starkville.
Many low income apartment complexes were in the habit of increasing rent, making minimal repairs and multiplying their list of code violations. A pattern emerged. When the deadline for repairs and code corrections approaches, most property owners sell, which starts the time limit all over again for getting the property up to code. Due to this, nearly an entire apartment complex on the west side of town was slated to be torn down. Some legal action allowed that decision to be revoked and renovations are taking place. This is progress, but we need to extend the efforts to all housing structures in Oktibbeha County.
Catherine Street was strike three in a series of discoveries, which exposed the uninhabitable conditions some of our most underserved neighbors have been living in. We have since found strike 4 and 5, which fuels our mission to address housing instability and create housing reform for families and individuals in Oktibbeha County. To learn more about these efforts or offer support, click the link below or donate today.
Our three main concerns are:
A - Affordability
H - Habitability
A - Availability
Contact Starkville Strong
109 S Lafayette Street - Pantry
662.314.4648
900 Stark Rd - Client Office
