The casino announced a food-assistance grant for Crittenden County

Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis will provide up to $180,000 over three years to Mid South Food Bank. The funds will support mobile food distributions and the distribution of food for people and families facing food shortages in Crittenden County.

The local partner for the program will be Hope House Ministries in West Memphis. The organization will help organize the mobile distributions, providing a practical link between a large aid provider and smaller towns where access to reliable food-assistance channels is often constrained by logistics.

Food insecurity in Crittenden County as a structural issue

The main factor is low income levels—the county has traditionally had a poverty rate above the average. Residents’ education levels, by contrast, are below the state and national averages. This leads not only to limited access to higher-paying jobs, but also to related problems. One of the most acute is gambling addiction, and in the past few years it has worsened amid the widespread growth of online casinos.

For vulnerable groups, mobile apps are especially relevant, since people with low incomes mostly play on Android smartphones. Instead of browser-based games, they choose an alternative—for example, lucky jet game apk. This provides access to gambling entertainment 24/7, which usually entails substantial financial losses.

The desire to “make” a lot of money quickly leads to the opposite result—the financial burden only increases. As a result, the need for food assistance also increases.

Southland’s position and the logic of the partnership

Southland President and CEO Osi Imomo linked the initiative to the company’s ongoing community commitment. “Southland Casino Hotel is committed to supporting our local community year-round, especially when it comes to fighting hunger. We are proud to partner again with Mid South Food Bank to do this for those in need in Crittenden County,” he said.

For businesses, such projects typically balance philanthropy with infrastructure investment in the resilience of the area where employees and guests live. At the same time, public statements have not yet disclosed the criteria by which the effectiveness of the distributions will be evaluated, such as reach trends or a reduction in the share of households experiencing food insecurity.

How the mobile distributions will be organized in Earle and Turrell

The grant money is intended for practical budget items, without which mobile sites become a one-off event. The project description specifically identifies food purchases and supporting the distributions, including transportation and operating costs.

The program’s mechanics are tied to two towns in Crittenden County, Earle and Turrell. Two mobile distributions per month are planned at pre-designated sites. The expected volume is about 500 meals, or the equivalent in pounds of packaged food, per month, making the project resemble a regular supply route rather than a one-time humanitarian run.

Mid South Food Bank and the scale of its work

Mid South Food Bank is based in Memphis and helps people experiencing food insecurity in 31 counties in the region. For such organizations, a key asset is not only purchasing volume, but also a network of partner sites where food can be safely received, stored, and distributed without loss of quality.

In the context of Crittenden County, the stated goal is framed as providing nutritious, wholesome food locally. This is an important caveat, since with limited budgets humanitarian programs are often criticized for an overemphasis on calories at the expense of a balanced diet; however, the specific assortment of supplies under this grant is not disclosed.

What the food bank says about the partnership

Mid South Food Bank President and CEO Scott Fortin emphasized the importance of the partnership for local logistics. “We are committed to delivering nutritious, high-quality food to local agencies and distribution sites, so we are very pleased that Southland Casino Hotel is making it possible for us to carry out this work in Crittenden County,” he said.

He also recalled the organization’s mission. “Our mission is to end hunger in the region, and we are proud to provide tens of millions of pounds of food each year to children, seniors, and families in need,” Fortin noted. Against this backdrop, the program in Crittenden looks like a targeted boost, where the regularity and predictability of the schedule matter, not only the overall tonnage.

Hope House Ministries and storage upgrades

Earlier, Southland completed infrastructure upgrades for Hope House Ministries that are directly related to future distributions of perishable foods. This involves the purchase and installation of a new freezer and a walk-in cooler, which increased storage capacity and added space for ready-to-eat items so deliveries could remain more consistent.

Southland’s total contribution to this project amounted to about $123,000. The company not only funded the work, but also engaged its culinary and technical teams in selecting and installing the equipment. Hope House Ministries is additionally identified as the organization that will help with the mobile distributions in Earle and Turrell.

Restrooms and everyday hygiene

The project also included upgrades to the main bathrooms. A complete reconstruction of the men’s and women’s areas is reported to ensure functionality and hygiene.

This part of the work rarely becomes the focus of attention, although it is precisely what determines a basic standard of dignified living conditions. Details about how many people the building can accommodate and how capacity will change after the renovation are not specified.

The chapel and dining hall as shared spaces

Improvements in the chapel and dining hall are mentioned separately. New tables were installed, lighting was updated, and the flooring was restored so that the space would be more comfortable for program participants.

Such changes do not directly increase the volume of services, but they often reduce tension in common areas where different groups of residents intersect. The statement does not disclose how ongoing maintenance of the upgraded facilities will be organized.

Construction of Carolyn & Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter continues

In West Memphis, construction of the Carolyn & Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter continues, funded by a $1.7 million donation from Delaware North and Southland Casino Hotel to the city. The shelter is expected to open in 2026.

It is reported that the former Mid South Greyhound Adoption Center was demolished, and installation of stormwater drainage, sewer, and water lines for the site has been completed. Electrical, plumbing, and interior work is now underway. The new shelter will be substantially larger than the current one and should address issues related to the facility’s location and maintenance.