News & Events
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News & Events

Please direct any media inquiries to:

Anna Kathryn Word
Chief Development Officer
akword@mifa.org
(901) 529-4523

 

News Archive

An archive of our recent media coverage is below.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

The Daily Memphian: Despite pandemic, wheels still rolling at MIFA

Despite pandemic, wheels still rolling at MIFA By Christin Yates July 28, 2020 With its staff, volunteers — most of whom are seniors — and clients all at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, MIFA knew it had to change the way it operates significantly to continue its mission of uniting the Memphis community through service. Since the pandemic began in March, Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA) has had to make daily decisions and changes to continue providing... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Tuesday, July 28, 2020

The Daily Memphian: At MIFA, ‘We had to get the meals out’

At MIFA, ‘We had to get the meals out’ By Sally Jones Heinz April 17, 2020 It’s hard to remember what the world was like just a few weeks ago, before we tuned up our laptops and learned to work from home, and before we knew what Zoom meetings were. At MIFA, we made quick decisions about moving applications for emergency assistance online and replacing weekly meetings with conference calls. But how could we continue to deliver MIFA Meals on Wheels, a service... Read More

Fox 13: MIFA Meals on Wheels makes adjustments to better serve the community during the COVID-19 outbreak

MIFA Meals on Wheels makes adjustments to better serve the community during the COVID-19 outbreak MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  MIFA Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers now wear PPE gear to assembling food boxes for seniors having trouble putting food on their table during COVID-19. The Aging Commission of the Mid-South is an organization that partners with MIFA to help pay for food supplies. It is estimated that it takes $3,000 to cover a senior’s meal for the year. Kim... Read More

The Daily Memphian: Virus throws a wrench in MIFA’s senior meal delivery system

Virus throws a wrench in MIFA’s senior meal delivery system By  Sally Jones Heinz Doug, a regular MIFA Meals volunteer, was delivering his route in East Memphis on a cold day a few months ago. As usual, he climbed out of his car in his 92-year-old client’s driveway, grabbed her hot meal and milk and knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again; he knew she was expecting him. Finally, he walked around to the back of the house and saw his client on the kitchen... Read More

WMC Action News 5: MIFA to deliver extra week of meals in case of service disruption

MIFA to deliver extra week of meals in case of service disruption By  WMCActionNews5.com Staff  | March 12, 2020 at 11:10 PM CDT - Updated March 12 at 11:10 PM MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Many of the most vulnerable Mid-Southerners aren’t getting out to local restaurants, they’re relying on the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association for food deliveries. As coronavirus concerns rise, MIFA announced Thursday they are working on ways to limit exposure to those... Read More

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Fox 13: $400,000 made available to fight homelessness in Memphis

Featured on Fox 13 MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  Homelessness is an issue every city in the nation faces. Last year homelessness was up three percent from the year before across the country. FOX13 shares how the country is fighting this issue in Memphis by handing out millions of dollars. "I came to work, scanned my badge, as I scanned my badge the security officer said to me, oh you're laid off," said Rochelle Clayton, looking for help. Rochelle Clayton, a mother of... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Commercial Appeal: How to end homelessness: Memphis aid providers talk causes and solutions

Featured in The Commercial Appeal By  Sarah Macaraeg How to end homelessness: Memphis aid providers talk causes and solutions When Tamara Hendrix began teaching pre-school, she wasn't worried about her low pay. She had recently graduated from Christian Brothers University, and found her job, at a daycare serving families affected by HIV, rewarding. "I was concentrated on getting the children well and being able to be in a space that was safe for them," Hendrix... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, January 20, 2020

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Daily Memphian: With Meals on Wheels, results are real

Featured in  The Daily Memphian By Sally Jones Heinz MIFA has been on the front lines of addressing hunger and food insecurity in Memphis for 50 years. For many, putting food on the table is a year-long challenge. And each year the holidays seem to heighten the critical need among our vulnerable neighbors.  For example, when school is out, the demand on parents to provide meals their children usually receive at school can be daunting. Last fiscal year, MIFA Emergency... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Daily Memphian: Meals on Wheels with music: Yes, he takes requests

Featured in The Daily Memphian By  Jill Johnson Piper When “Tuesday Phil” and “Tuesday Bill” are in the house, no one goes hungry for food or for song.  Every Tuesday morning, Phil Taylor, 84, and Bill Craddock, 73, load up Craddock’s SUV with 17 meals for homebound clients of MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program. Taylor’s been known to deliver a few verses of the American songbook with the entree. Snow flurries encourage them to... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Friday, November 22, 2019

The Commercial Appeal: MIFA gets $5 million to combat homelessness from Jeff Bezos charity

Featured in  The Commercial Appeal By  Katherine Burgess MIFA volunteer Victoria Vicks hugs members of the MIFA staff as she and her foster mother Tammera Freno pick up meals for delivery. MIFA volunteers delivered over 800 Christmas meals this year. (Photo: Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal) Memphis’ Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) has received a $5 million grant to combat homelessness from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. “We are... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Friday, November 22, 2019

Thursday, November 21, 2019

MIFA release: MIFA Receives Day 1 Families Fund Grant to Help Solve Homelessness

MIFA Receives Day 1 Families Fund Grant to Help Solve Homelessness Day 1 Families Fund grants $98.5 million to 32 nonprofits assisting families experiencing homelessness MEMPHIS, Tenn. – (Nov. 21, 2019) - Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), an organization that is supporting the independence of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis in Memphis/Shelby County, today announced that it has been selected to receive a $5 million grant from the Day 1 Families Fund.  ... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, November 21, 2019

Monday, September 30, 2019

WATN Local Memphis: Wait list for Meals on Wheels can be years-long for senior citizens in need

Link to original post with video by:  Jalyn Souchek MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) — Meals on Wheels feeds thousands of senior citizens in need but hundreds more are stuck on a lengthy wait list. The Aging Commission of the Mid-South says there are more than 600 people waiting to get on the Meals on Wheels program and several have been on the list for longer than a year. Meals on Wheels is a federally-funded program which is administered at the local level by... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, September 30, 2019

Thursday, September 26, 2019

The Best Times: The Power of Volunteerism

Link to video here . Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, September 26, 2019

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Time: Why America Is Failing To Feed Its Aging

Featured in  Time Why America Is Failing To Feed Its Aging When Army veteran Eugene Milligan fell off a charity’s rolls for home-delivered Meals on Wheels because of a long stay in the hospital last winter, he had to rely on others such as his son, a local church and a generous off-duty nurse to bring him food.   Andrea Morales for Kaiser Health BY  LAURA UNGAR & TRUDY LIEBERMAN / KAISER HEALTH NEWS  AUGUST 28, 2019 Army veteran... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Friday, August 16, 2019

The Commercial Appeal: Memphis Inter-Faith Association is on a mission to educate on the homelessness struggle

Featured in  The Commercial Appeal By Sally Jones Heinz Memphis Inter-Faith Association's inaugural "Our City, Our Story" event will give the community a change to discover the daily reality of the homeless. According to the 2018 local Point in Time report, the most recent comprehensive census of all persons experiencing homelessness at a given point in time, there were 1,226 homeless individuals in Memphis and Shelby County. 92% were sleeping in emergency... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Friday, August 16, 2019

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Daily Memphian: Ms. Jean lived on a corner outdoors, providing a gift to her neighborhood

Featured in The Daily Memphian By Sally Jones Heinz When we spot a homeless person on the street, we most likely see ourselves as the potential benefactor, or not. We almost automatically register a dichotomy: have/have-not, blessed/not blessed, productive/not productive. But a recent event in Memphis turns that whole way of thinking around. Dorothy Giles Stansbury, known only to the neighbors near Park and Mt. Moriah as Ms. Jean, lived on that corner for three years, and, when... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Monday, May 13, 2019

The Daily Memphian: Health insurance company strives to change outcomes by supporting nonprofits

Featured in  The Daily Memphian By  Michelle Corbet Beverly Robertson, named president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber greets Steve Wilson, Commercial CEO, Tennessee, Arkansas, southwest Virginia at UnitedHealthcare as he walks up to the podium Monday, May 13, 2019.  (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)   Two brightly colored vans were parked outside of the Greater Memphis Chamber offices Downtown Monday morning. Dr. Scott... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, May 13, 2019

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Video: Cooperative Baptist Fellowship grants

Featuring Linda Marks, MIFA's interfaith officer. Click here for video.   Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, October 25, 2018

Saturday, September 22, 2018

The Daily Memphian: MIFA celebrates jubilee year

Featured in  The Daily Memphian By  Elle Perry MIFA volunteer Cookie Ewing gives Hannah Mason a parting hug after delivering a MIFA meal to her Binghampton apartment. Fueled by thousands of volunteers, MIFA, which turns 50 this year, has gone high tech with pre-plotted routes and an app, but deliveries are still made with a personal touch. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian) MIFA volunteer Cookie Ewing delivers Chattie Hampton’s MIFA meal to her... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Saturday, September 22, 2018

Saturday, September 15, 2018

The Commercial Appeal: 'Memphis Miracle': MIFA celebrates 50 years of service

Featured in  The Commercial Appeal By Katie Fretland Julia Allen, a 93-year-old lifelong Memphian, closed her eyes and clasped the hands of those beside her beneath a tent near a bed of sun-drenched chrysanthemums on Vance Avenue.  She bowed her head in prayer, as members of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faiths gave thanks to the volunteers like her who helped the  Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association  become a critical Memphis... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Saturday, September 15, 2018

Monday, September 10, 2018

Memphis Magazine: MIFA Celebrates 50 Years of Service

At the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, consistent service for a changing Memphis. by  Michael Finger September 10, 2018 Teams of volunteers from ServiceMaster pack bags of shelf-stable meals for distribution to MIFA's Meals on Wheels clients. Photograph courtesy MIFA.  It’s a Monday morning in August, and Judy Royal parks next to a spacious building on Vance that had once been a supermarket, where she quickly loads the coolers in the back... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, September 10, 2018

Friday, September 15, 2017

HuffPost: Working Toward Dr. King’s Dream In The City Of Good Abode

Featured in  HuffPost By Linda F. Marks Neighborly love is not a finite or exhaustible commodity but a spirit — one that strengthens and expands as it is shared. MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS Memphis has long been known as the City of Good Abode, a moniker derived from the translation of its Egyptian name. And indeed, its location on a high bluff above the Mississippi River augured well for its establishment in 1819 as a pleasant trading and transportation... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Friday, September 15, 2017

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

MIFA Celebrates March for Meals

MIFA to Participate in Nationwide 2016 March for Meals   Memphis, Tenn.  (February 29, 2016)  MIFA announced today that it will participate in the 14th annual March for Meals, a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meals on Wheels and the homebound and vulnerable seniors who rely on its vital safety net.    With the help of over 100 volunteers, MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program delivers about 1,800 meals to homebound elderly and seniors at congregate nutrition... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Friday, October 2, 2015

MIFA now operates city’s homeless hotline

(October 1, 2015) — In collaboration with the City of Memphis and its Community Alliance for the Homeless, MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) is now operating the Emergency Housing Partnership Homeless Hotline for families with children. The new hotline number is (901) 529-4545. Under MIFA’s management, the hotline will operate 24 hours, seven days a week, excluding holidays. The service was launched at MIFA’s midtown headquarters on September 15, the nonprofit organization’s 47th... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Friday, October 2, 2015

Thursday, August 27, 2015

MIFA receives $45,000 from the Walmart Foundation

Metropolitan Inter Faith Association Receives $45,000 from the Walmart Foundation  Grant to Expand the MIFA Meals on Wheels Program MEMPHIS, Tenn., (August 2015) – MIFA (Metropolitan Inter Faith Association) has received a $45,000 contribution to assist with its Meals on Wheels program. The grant – which was given to the nonprofit organization through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will help MIFA deliver more than 15,000 meals this year, allowing the organization to... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, August 27, 2015

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

MIFA receives $2,500 for participation in Meals on Wheels America’s 2015 March for Meals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  For more information, contact James Seacat  (901) 529-4544; jseacat@mifa.org      MIFA Receives $2,500 for Participation in Meals on Wheels America’s 2015 March for Meals Funding for the Annual Awareness Campaign Made Possible by Subaru of America, Inc.’s “Share the Love” Event Memphis, Tenn.  (June 11, 2015) – MIFA has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in the 13th Annual March for... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Thursday, April 16, 2015

MIFA receives $1,000 from Meals on Wheels America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact James Seacat (901) 529-4544; jseacat@mifa.org MIFA receives $1,000 from Meals on Wheels America  Subaru’s Share the Love event prompts recognition Memphis, Tennessee (April 14, 2015) — MIFA has been awarded a $1,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America for participation in the 2014-2015 Subaru of America’s Share the Love event. The money will support MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program, helping to address the problems of hunger and... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thursday, March 26, 2015

City of Soul celebrates inaugural year

CITY OF SOUL: EPISCOPAL SERVICE CORPS IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR LAUNCH YEAR Five young people, five organizations, 12 months in a southern city Tuesday, December 23, 2014 FOR MORE INFORMATION Cara Ellen Modisett cmodisett@holycommunion.org Memphis, Tenn. – Next summer, City of Soul celebrates its inaugural year: Five young people, five organizations, 12 months in a southern city on the Mississippi River. City of Soul is the name for one of Episcopal Service... Read More
Posted by James Seacat at Thursday, March 26, 2015

Monday, January 19, 2015

Be the Dream weekend celebrates legacy of Dr. King

"BE THE DREAM" WEEKEND CELEBRATES LEGACY OF DR. KING, MEMPHIS CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEERS, AND PROMOTES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, COMMUNITY SERVICE  CONTACT: Dewanna Smith, PIO Office of Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. O (901) 576-6032 C (901) 574-1494 Dewanna.smith@memphistn.gov (Memphis, TN) – The 2nd annual BE THE DREAM MLK Weekend, which coincides with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19th 2015), will include the MLK Commemorative Celebration, the 2015 BE THE DREAM MLK Legacy Awards,... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, January 19, 2015

Monday, April 28, 2014

MIFA delivers historic 20 millionth meal

MIFA Meals on Wheels Milestone: 20 Millionth Meal Served On Friday, March 28, MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program served its 20 millionth meal to midtown senior Fred Deckard, age 65. Started in 1976, Meals on Wheels is one of MIFA’s five senior programs designed to promote health and companionship while keeping people independent and living in their homes. Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, Jr. delivered the meal on this landmark day for MIFA and the city’s nonprofit human services safety net. Meals on... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Monday, April 28, 2014

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Kingsway Christian Church and MIFA collaborate

Kingsway Christian Church and MIFA Collaboration Brings Meals On Wheels to Germantown for First Time Ever For the first time since its 1976 inception, MIFA Meals on Wheels will roll into the Germantown area - thanks to a new partnership with Kingsway Christian Church.Beginning March 31, Kingsway, located at 7887 Poplar Ave., will sponsor a Meals on Wheels program starting with five homebound seniors living in Germantown. Currently, there is no meals delivery program in this geographic... Read More
Posted by James Seacat at Thursday, March 6, 2014
Press Release

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Guest column: For 45 years, MIFA efforts have united community

Guest column For 45 years, MIFA efforts have united community Sunday, September 15, 2013 Sally Jones Heinz, The Commercial Appeal Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Sunday, September 15, 2013
Commercial Appeal

Thursday, June 20, 2013

MIFA is featured on the Spark

Interviews with Sally Heinz, Arnetta Macklin, and others Thursday, June 20, 2013 Jeremy Park, The Spark Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, June 20, 2013
Featured

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sally Jones Heinz is new executive director of MIFA

Sally Jones Heinz is new executive director of MIFA Memphis, Tennessee (February 11, 2011) - MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-faith Association) today announced the appointment of Sally Jones Heinz, a 27-year veteran in the Memphis nonprofit sector, as its new executive director. According to Jef Feibelman, chair of MIFA’s board of directors and head of the executive director search committee, “Sally brings a dynamic combination of vision, compassion and leadership acumen to the position. ... Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Friday, February 11, 2011

Thursday, February 18, 2010

MIFA on Voice of America

MIFA on Voice of America MIFA is the subject of a feature story produced by Voice of America, a distinguished worldwide network of news and information since 1942. Our story will be seen internationally via satellite TV in 29 languages, and American audiences can view the video online. Click here to read the article. Click here to watch the video. Read More
Posted by Ellen Whitten at Thursday, February 18, 2010

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