Mississippi

Mississippi County, Mo. leaders tackle food insecurity in the community

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi County, Mo. leaders tackle food insecurity in the community

CHARLESTON, Mo. (KFVS) – A growing number of people in southeast Missouri worry about putting food on the table.

That’s according to new numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The department’s annual “Map the Meal Gap” report showed food insecurity in southeast Missouri jumped from 14.5 percent in 2023 to more than 17 percent in 2024.

According to the Southeast Missouri Foodbank, higher food prices are driving that increase. The national average cost of a meal is up nearly $3.50 in the food bank’s coverage area.

That report also broke down food insecurity by county in the Show Me State, and seven southeast Missouri counties landed in the top 10.

According to the report, Mississippi County ranks 7th in food insecurity and second in child hunger in Missouri.

We talked with local leaders about how they’re tracking the issue as summer break begins.

“It’s important for us to be a village,” said Lester Gillespie, CEO of Fresh Start Self-Improvement Center in Charleston.

Wednesday, May 15 marked the last day of his winter food program where he feeds up to 200 kids five days a week. The Summer Food Program begins on Thursday.

Gillespie said he’s here to help parents in need.

“It’s not so much we give out a handout. We give it, we give a hand up and I really love the fact that our parents are trying to do the best that they possibly can do under the circumstances,” he said.

Veronica Dunigan is a member of the Fresh Start organization. She said providing children with breakfast and lunch makes a difference.

“A lot of times the parents, they run out of food or either they’re working and they don’t get a chance to come home at all. Some time to feed their children, like during the summer time they’re at work all day,” Dunigan said.

And it fills a real need in this community.

“The parents feel good that their kids are somewhere and they can release them to the program and that’s what I see this program I’ve done and, and I see this continue to do and I pray that it continues to grow more and more,” she said.

Gillespie hoped talking about food insecurity in his county and across the state brings more awareness.

“I really appreciate the fact that we’re putting a light on this. We’ll bring it to full attention throughout our community and allow other people to get involved in any way they want because it is a problem,” Gillespie said.

According to Gillespie, the program provides food to children up to 18 and offers transportation to his program at the C. F. Bowden Civic Center in Charleston, Mo.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

Published

45 minutes ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

01-07-11-30-34

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 7-4-6, FB: 5

Evening: 3-3-0, FB: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 3-4-8-9, FB: 5

Evening: 6-2-0-4, FB: 8

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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