With Operation Healthy Delta reaching its conclusion, the local Bread Shed organized an appreciation dinner to honor the soldiers, organizers and volunteers. The project offered a no-cost health clinic held on the campus of Three Rivers College over a 10-day period.
Ann Terrell Smith, executive director of the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, took the opportunity to acknowledge the community partners whose support she said was vital to the clinic’s success. These partners included the local Butler County Health Department, FCC Behavioral Health, Missouri Highlands, the Poplar Bluff Veterans Administration, the East Missouri Action Agency and the University of Missouri Extension.
According to Sarah Hecht, the assistant officer in charge with the U.S. Department of Defense, the clinic delivered essential health care services valued at $1.5 million to a total of 2,224 patients.
Expressing his gratitude, Chris Kellums, the director of the Bread Shed, thanked all those who assisted in the successful implementation of the no-cost clinic.
“We appreciate everything you all have done and all the hard work you put into this,” he said. “You helped people, and that is what we are about here at the Bread Shed — helping people. So, thank you.”
Maj. Justin Cannel distributed certificates to numerous volunteers and workers from SCMCAA, extending his appreciation to the soldiers and community partners who provided assistance. He emphasized that without the collective effort of everyone involved, he and his team would not have achieved such a successful mission.
During the dinner, attendees were offered a choice between smoked half chicken or pulled pork, accompanied by various side dishes such as mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and yeast rolls. For dessert, cake and cookies were served, while the attendees enjoyed live music provided by the acoustic duo Freedom and Misty.