Grant will provide liquid nutrition to area cancer patients

A $500 hunger and poverty grant from the United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network will provide liquid nutrition to about 20 cancer patients served by Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center.

Center Coordinator Dianne Morris was recently notified of the award by UMAMN Executive Coordinator Angela Kirtdall. “This grant will help support the special nutritional needs of cancer patients who are awaiting or receiving treatment. We are so thankful to receive the award,” Morris noted.

This is the third consecutive year the Mountain Laurel Center has received grant funding from UMAMN. The center is operated by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., which serves Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton. MLCC provides personalized cancer support and resources to patients and their families. Through foundation grants and funds established by the families of cancer patients who lost their fight with cancer, the center also provides liquid nutritional supplements and financial assistance for travel for cancer diagnosis, treatment, surgery and other related expenses.

UMAMN program goals are to assist with and encourage development of new ministries or expansion of current ministries working to eradicate hunger and poverty in Appalachia. As a previous grant recipient, MLCC was invited to apply for this emergency grant to address issues related to the current coronavirus pandemic.