Stewpot Executive Director Frank Spencer (second from left) accepted more than 1,000 cans of food from (from left) Eat Here Brands Chairman Mike Stack, co-founder Bill Latham and Babalu General Manager Nate Delaware. Photo by Courtesy Eat Here Brands
Babalu Tacos and Tapas led a December food drive that collected more than 1,000 cans of food for Stewpot Community Services.
The drive came at a vital time for Stewpot, which suffered a mail fraud scam in November and December that CEO Frank Spencer estimated cost the charity organization more than $100,000 in donations.
Throughout the month of December, Babalu offered customers a $10 gift certificate for donations of five cans of food or more.
"Being active in the community is something that's very important to all of us at Babalu," the restaurant's co-founder Bill Latham stated in a press release. "We wanted to say, 'Thank you,' for all the support we've received from our customers, friends and community partners in Jackson. And, at the same time, we wanted to help the less fortunate among us, people who are struggling in these difficult economic times."
Spencer collected the canned food from Babalu in early January.
In December, Spencer noticed Stewpot's donations were down nearly $100,000 from the previous year. A few days later, the U.S. Postal Service notified Spencer that someone had turned in a change of address form for Stewpot. The Postal Service delivered Stewpot's mail to a vacant house in South Jackson for several weeks in late November and early December.
Once the mail arrived, the perpetrator collected donation checks and used the routing and account numbers to direct funds out of donors' bank accounts. Spencer said
Stewpot, located at 1100 W. Capitol Street, offers more than a dozen services, including shelter, food, clothing, counseling and children's programs.
Babalu Tacos and Tapas is a part of Eat Here Brands, which also includes Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchises in Mississippi, Table 100 in Flowood, and Interim Restaurant and Bar in Memphis.
Zippity Doo Dah Announcement
Fondren Renaissance will announce plans for the 3rd Annual Zippity Doo Dah Weekend inside the Fondren Corner building Thursday at 10 a.m.
Featured speakers will include Fondren Renaissance Executive Director Jim Wilkirson, restaurant owner Jeff Good and Sweet Potato Queens founder Jill Conner Browne.
The Zippity Doo Dah weekend will take place March 21-23, 2013. The event raises money for the Friends of Children's Hospital. In its first two years, the event raised more than $120,000.
BBB Announces New Board Members
The Better Business Bureau of Mississippi announced six new members of its board of directors Jan. 24. The new members will serve three-year terms, ending in December 2015.
New board members include Daryl Brown, supply chain manager at Mississippi Power, Carol Burger, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area, Julia Garrett, commercial lines manager at Meyer and Rosenbaum, Felicia Gavin, executive vice president at DiamondJacks Casino, and Andrea Oscar-Hopkins, branch manager of BankPlus.
"We are excited for the addition of these new members joining us to promote the BBB mission and help us improve our reach throughout the state," John O'Hara, president & CEO of the BBB Mississippi, stated in a press release. "We look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm each of our new members brings to our organization."
The board of directors is comprised of executives from BBB-accredited businesses. The board's executive committee nominates new members, and the full board and accredited businesses vote on the nominees.
Von Drehle Opening Plant in Natchez
Commercial and industrial paper production company von Drehle Corporation announced Jan. 23 that the company will locate new manufacturing operations in Natchez.
The plant will provide 100 new jobs at the former location of Mississippi River Pulp, which closed its doors in November 2012.
"We believe the people, community and state are a good fit for von Drehle, and we appreciate their support throughout this process. The company is excited to expand our operating footprint in Natchez," Randy Bergman, chief operating officer of the von Drehle Corporation, stated in a press release.
Hickory, N.C.-based von Drehle Corporation also has manufacturing operations in North Carolina, Nevada and Tennessee. The company makes paper towel, tissue and dispenser products for industrial and commercial use. It sells the products around the globe through 400 distribution partners.
"I am pleased to welcome von Drehle to Mississippi," Gov. Phil Bryant stated in a release. "I know Mississippi's dedicated workforce and supportive business climate will serve von Drehle well, and I thank company officials for investing in our state and in our people."
SBA Launches New Site
The U.S. Small Business Administration launched a new website and blog Monday dedicated to educating people about the Affordable Care Act.
"The Affordable Care Act provides small business owners with access and opportunity to provide affordable health care options for their employees," SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills stated in a press release. "SBA's new Affordable Care Act webpage and blog will serve as a resource for small business owners who want learn more about how to take advantage of these benefits."
The website breaks down the key provisions of the act based on business size in categories including self-employed, fewer than 25 employees, fewer than 50 employees and more than 50 employees.
For more information, visit the new SBA website at www.sba.gov/healthcare.
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