Stories

Feature Story Volunteers are critical to the MIFA mission.

How 42 Memphis restaurants came together to help raise funds for Meals on Wheels

“We're all restaurants feeding our customers. And it just made sense to try to do the same thing and help feed the seniors in the Memphis area that don't have the luxury of eating out,” says Ashely Robilio, president of the Hueys Restaurant company and a member of the MIFA board.

Development News Volunteers load up their cars at MIFA headquarters as they prepare for another day’s delivery of Meals on Wheels.

These 42 restaurants are participating in MIFA’s 10-day fundraiser for Meals on Wheels

Spring for a Meal takes place at participating restaurants from Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 14.

Feature Story Tiffany Sumlin (left) and her mother, Tricie Cullens, are Meals on Wheels volunteers. The dedication is real: Tiffany got off work at 6 a.m. and came to volunteer after her shift, and her mom had a heart transplant just four months ago.

PHOTOS: Why a morning spent with Meals on Wheels volunteers was 'the most exhilarating thing' ever

"It was the most exhilarating thing that I have ever witnessed," Reginald Johnson writes after visiting a Meals on Wheels event at MIFA HQ. "You'd think that people are racing to MIFA picking up gold bars. But for them, the cargo in their cars is more precious than silver and gold, for they are on a mission to serve some of the most vulnerable and isolated seniors in our city. You can see it in their eyes and you can hear it in their voices; you can see it in the urgency of their walk."

Feature Story Arts and Culture is one of the six 'More for Memphis' anchor collaboratives.

Creative Economics: The investment and profits envisioned by More for Memphis for Arts and Culture

Over the next several months, the High Ground Team will be diving deep into the More for Memphis plan: What it is, why it is, and where it's taking us. This week, we take a look at Arts and Culture, one of the six focus areas critical to the initiative's success.

Feature Story In the 2023 fiscal year, MIFA Meals on Wheels served more than 737,000 meals to 4,418 seniors throughout Shelby County.

Addressing senior food insecurity is a critical need nationwide, but especially in Memphis

This is the first in our new series on senior food insecurity. It’s a topic that is especially important in the greater Memphis area, which has the third highest senior food insecurity rates in the country. There are a lot of challenges associated with senior food insecurity, but local organizations like MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) are taking a proactive approach to providing solutions.

Feature Story Actor and writer Ann Perry Wallace.

Women Working It: Ann Perry Wallace is ready for her second act

Jeff Hulett sits down with award-winning actor and writer Ann Perry Wallace.

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PHOTOS: Scenes from 'a true celebration of life, love, and homage' at Coleman School

"We have some of the most talented and brightest scholars in the world nestled right here in our Black communities," writes Reginald Johnson.

Feature Story Young people have played an integral role in the development of the More for Memphis plan. These photos are from a MFM Youth Council meeting held in June 2023.

A path to economic mobility: The More for Memphis plan for schools to become true community hubs

“At the end of this, the bigger goal for More for Memphis is putting people on a pathway to economic mobility. And so for us, education is that pathway,” says Teshanda Middleton, project lead for the E&Y Anchor Collaborative and CEO of the Communities In Schools of Memphis nonprofit organization. “How you do that is being intentional about the support that you spread across generations of people.”

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On finding 'ideas that work': How 300 Memphians came together to develop the More for Memphis plan

“Memphis is not new to developing strategic plans, so it was important for us to be thoughtful of how this process would be different and actionable,” says Jamilica Burke, chief strategy and impact officer of Seeding Success, the Memphis nonprofit responsible for coordinating the More for Memphis initiative.

Development News The Carpenter Art Garden in 2017.

These 3 Memphis arts organizations were awarded grants from the NEA supporting community projects

“These grants contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities, help meet the challenges of our time, and build towards a future in which all people can lead artful lives and reach their full potential,” says NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson.

Development News “Our goal is to make Greater Memphis a place where anyone can secure a high-quality job, lead a productive life, and provide for their family,” says Ted Townsend, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.

Unique partnership to create workforce development program for Memphians impacted by justice system

“Our goal is to make Greater Memphis a place where anyone can secure a high-quality job, lead a productive life, and provide for their family,” says Ted Townsend, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.

Development News Hot Yoga Plus in 2018.

New ShelbyCares program to offer free workout classes at locally-owned, neighborhood gyms

“Turning the tide on generations of poor health is no easy feat, and I commend the neighborhood gyms who have committed to help us expand access to great health,” says Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.

Development News Cherokee Arms is located at 1508 Madison Ave. in Midtown.

These two historic Memphis sites are nominated for the National Register of Historic Places

The State Review Board will soon meet in Nashville to determine whether eight historic Tennessee sites meet the criteria to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. And two of the eight sites are located right here in Memphis.

Development News “Dr. King once said ‘anyone can be great because anyone can serve,’” says Museum President Dr. Russ Wigginton. “At our museum, we create opportunities to highlight the greatness in our communities."

National Civil Rights Museum offers free admission, concerts, and more on MLK Day

“Dr. King once said ‘anyone can be great because anyone can serve,’” says Museum President Dr. Russ Wigginton. “At our museum, we create opportunities to highlight the greatness in our communities. Dr. King’s legacy and the progress we’ve collectively made encourages us to keep moving forward."

Development News Pre-orders for the limited edition sneaker are currently open with the shoe itself being ready come March 2024.

Nonprofit shoe design company to launch new sneaker with sales benefiting Stax Music Academy

Pre-orders for the limited edition sneaker are currently open with the shoe itself being ready come March 2024.

Development News Tommy Pacello in 2016.

Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship awards $15K to park project at this historic Memphis church

“It's a gift, not only to receive Pacelloship resources for a project in our friend Tommy's memory, but to know that turning one more bad patch of downtown asphalt (our staff parking lot) into a vibrant place for people would have brought the wide, irrepressible grin we miss so much to Tommy's face,” says the Rev. Scott Walters, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church.

Development News “Through this series of workshops, we hope to build a legacy of transformation and equity in leadership,” says YRD National President Rasheedah Jones.

New workshop series launched to empower Memphis' next generation of Black leaders

“Through this series of workshops, we hope to build a legacy of transformation and equity in leadership,” says YRD National President Rasheedah Jones.

Development News The 901 Entrepreneurs Fellowship program has awarded a $65,000 stipend to three underrepresented Memphis entrepreneurs so they can grow their businesses and create more local jobs.

These three entrepreneurs won fellowships to help them grow their businesses in Memphis

“These fellowships may be the springboard that the awardees need to build businesses that, when scaled, have the potential to provide economic opportunities for the founders and good local jobs for Memphians,” says Jessica Taveau, president and CEO, Epicenter.

Development News Training and certifications will be offered for high-demand jobs in the construction, logistics, manufacturing, and technology industries.

Memphis Chamber's new accelerated training center to offer career pathways for 1,000s of Memphians

“This center gives Memphis something we’ve never had before,” said Amity Schuyler, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President of Workforce Development for the Chamber. “By training people faster for the jobs that are in the highest demand, we will not only expand access to prosperity but give advanced industries another incentive to choose to invest in our region.”

Development News “We are seeing great advances in repurposing tires for environmental benefits, and this grant for Memphis Tire Recyclers is a great example,” says TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young.

Memphis Tire Recyclers win grant to increase capacity, recycle 150K additional scrap tires each year

“We are seeing great advances in repurposing tires for environmental benefits, and this grant for Memphis Tire Recyclers is a great example,” says TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young. “Programs like this not only help clean up sites of used tires, they involve innovative new uses for them. We congratulate Memphis Tire Recyclers on this project.”