Akridge receives MWA’s new member award

Akridge receives MWA’s new member award

DUDLEY, Mo. —Michelle Akridge of Dudley, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was New Member Leader in the Missouri East Region for the month of June.

Akridge joined Modern Woodmen in September 2023. Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinios. Modern Woodmen provides life insurance, annuity, and security products to over 717,000 members nationwide. For more information contact Michelle at 573-712-3559 or call the regional office at 573-701-0163.

SEMO Food Bank gets four-star charity rating

SIKESTON – For the ninth straight year, Charity Navigator has given its highest rating, four stars, to Southeast Missouri Food Bank for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

“It is truly an honor to again receive Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of the food bank. “It shows our donors we can be trusted to put their gifts toward our mission: ending hunger in southeast Missouri.”

According to Charity Navigator, the 4-star rating indicates an organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way and verifies that SEMO Food Bank exceeds industry standards. This rating designates Southeast Missouri Food Bank an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.

Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator. Since 2001, the organization has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually.

More than 95 percent of donations to SEMO Food Bank support the food bank’s direct service programs that, along with its network of partner agencies, serves 80,000 people facing hunger each month across a 16-county service area. Every $1 donated helps provide four meals.