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Child care centers donate to pantry, compete for party

Muskogee Phoenix - 2/11/2017

Feb. 10--Latarsha Loggins spent 22 years in child care before surgery left her disabled, but that doesn't keep her from being involved in the community.

Last month Loggins challenged some child care centers in Muskogee to participate in a non-perishable food drive to help fill the pantry at Antioch Church of Muskogee. Three of them accepted the challenge.

The center that collected the most non-perishable food items will receive a Valentine's Day party with pizza, chips, juice, candy sacks, their celebratory cake and a plaque. Loggins and her husband, Marcus, collected the contributions on Tuesday.

Food donated by Wilkerson Child Care Center filled the Loggins' SUV and passenger car and they had to return for a second load. Cynthia Wilkerson-Mim, owner of Wilkerson's Child Care, said she was "feeling pretty confident" they would win.

"The parents have been real supportive for a good cause," Wilkerson-Mim said. More than 390 non-perishable items have been donated, including canned goods, Ramen noodles, cake mix, corn muffin mix, Hamburger Helper, water and condiments.

"We've got a big ol' box full," Opal Jimerson, director of Champion Child Care, said. She listed mashed potatoes, rice, canned goods, spaghetti, greens and cake mix among the items donated.

Her children are 3 to 5 years old, "and they know they're giving away food to help those in need," Jimerson said. "We always support the community."

Parents and their children have been bringing food and putting it in the box, Carolyn Downs, director of Jack and Jill Learning Center, said.

"It's so admirable of her (Loggins) to step and do this," Downs said. "It's a great opportunity for us to give back to the community."

Antioch's food pantry is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Food is pre-bagged by family size, and Loggins said diabetics can be accommodated.

Reach Mark Hughes at (918) 684-2908 or mhughes@muskogeephoenix.com.

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