By Rupert Howell
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM) partnering with Panola County Community Foundation (PCCF) each granted Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Mississippi a $2,500 Endowment for The Future of Northwest Mississippi grant to support Smart Girls, a program that promotes healthy attitudes and lifestyles in girls ages 8-17 years.  
Part of B&G Clubs of America’s SMART Moves program, it uses a combination of information and experiential learning activities to help female club members develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles.  
  “The community foundation is pleased to support this organization and to partner with the Panola County Community Foundation”, said Tom Pittman, president. “We look forward to seeing the results of this national program for girls”.
The Panola County Community Foundation also has awarded a $500 grant to the club to provide, in partnership with First Security Bank, financial education, a Children’s’ Savings Accounts and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth.  
B&G Club opened in 1999 and is providing after school and summer programs for youth.  
This program will start a savings account ($20 each) for 40-50 B&GC youth (ages 8-10); provide financial education for youth and adults; start a garden club to show how to grow food and sell it as a means of making money.  
Belinda Morris, former director of B&GC NW MS, will coordinate the program for the bank (patterned after the successful program in Tunica).