At Tupelo Children’s Mansion, we believe every child deserves a place to feel safe, loved, and nurtured. A place where they can grow, heal, and dream about their future. Mealtime is an essential part of this experience. It’s a time when our children can find comfort, routine, and the nourishment they need to thrive. Each meal served is more than just food; it is an act of love and care, a daily reminder that they are valued.

One of our most cherished traditions at TCM is celebrating birthdays in our dining hall. Our dedicated kitchen staff bakes delicious cupcakes, and the entire cafeteria joins in singing “Happy Birthday” to the child being celebrated. I’ll never forget the moment when one little one, beaming with excitement, shouted, “I’m special, oh yeah!” That simple celebration filled their heart with joy and belonging.

As you can tell, for many of our children, the dining hall is more than just a place to eat; it’s where they experience stability and belonging. But right now, our current facilities are falling short. Our kitchen has served us faithfully, but it is no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of our campus. Plumbing failures have led to persistent sewage and water leakage issues, with unsanitary conditions developing in our current dining area. The outdated infrastructure struggles to meet updated Mississippi Health Department standards, making it clear that the time for change is now.

To address these urgent concerns, we are prayerfully moving forward with an incredible opportunity to transform an existing building on our property into a brand-new dining hall and commercial kitchen that will meet our needs for years to come. This is not just a necessary upgrade but an investment in our children's well-being and future.

With this new dining hall, we will:

• Provide a sanitary and fully compliant environment that meets state health and safety regulations, ensuring every meal is prepared in a safe and efficient setting.
• Eliminate ongoing structural challenges by relocating the dining and meal prep areas from a building plagued with plumbing failures and water damage.
• Accommodate growth and dietary needs with a modern, fully-equipped commercial kitchen designed for efficiency and care, allowing us to better serve children with healthy, nutritious meals.
• Ensure each child receives meals in a safe and functional cafeteria setting, providing better service and organization.

The total cost of this transformational project is $425,000, covering demolition, construction, and all new commercial appliances, including a desperately needed walk-in refrigerator and freezer. We have already secured nearly $300,000 toward this vision through the generosity of faithful supporters like you. That means we are a little more than $125,000 away from making this dream a reality!

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in this effort? Your gift today - whether $50, $100, or even $500 - will bring us one step closer to completion.

• $50 provides a week of meals for a child.
• $100 helps fund essential kitchen equipment.
• $500 brings us closer to completing the fully functional dining hall.

Your support will directly impact the daily lives of our children, ensuring they receive the nourishment, love, and stability they need to thrive.

Together, we can build more than just a kitchen; we can create a safe and modern space where meals are prepared and served with care every day.

Thank you for your unwavering support and prayers. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity.

With gratitude and hope,

Dr. Chad A. Parker, DSW, LCSW, LPC
President & CEO

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