Good morning, Tupelo and beyond! Today is March 17th and it’s the 76th day of the year 2020. It’s also St. Patrick’s Day so make sure you’re wearing your green today, although most of us will only be wearing it to the living room! And just because you’re spending St. Paddy’s Day at home doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. We found this awesome list of St. Paddy’s Day things you can do with the entire family to celebrate the day in…you guessed it, your living room. Now, onto our quote of the day.

“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”

–Irish Blessing

Check back each day for a new quote to help get you through your day. Now, onto other news and happenings. As we all know, we are in a strange time for everyone around the world, not just America. But as America shutters the doors of schools, churches, certain government facilities, and even restaurants and retail stores in some parts of the country, we are still doing what Americans do best–coming together in a time of a need. Which is a pretty amazing thing considering the #1 thing we’re supposed to do is distance ourselves from one another. But the young and healthy are banding together to serve the sick and elderly so they don’t have to go out in public and risk exposure. Our medical workers and first responders are carrying on business as usual, working the front lines as they always do. Be sure to thank the next doctor, NP, nurse, EMT, police officer, firefighter, respiratory therapists, and all health and first response professionals who are putting their own wellness on the line while working to keep everyone safe and healthy. Likewise, be kind to your grocery, retail, and restaurant employees who are also working to keep us fed, clothed, and sanitized during this time. Let’s continue to show comradery to one another and brighten each other’s day, even at a distance.

Seasonal allergy sufferers, get ready for another sneezy day. The pollen count drops slightly to a medium-high of 8.2 so take your precautions if you plan to work outside in the garden today.

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Normally, this is where we would take a look at what’s happening today in your neck of the woods! However, due to guidelines from the CDC and urging from the nation’s President and our Governor, all events where 10 or more would gather are canceled. With that being said, there are no events that are still on the books for today. We expect this to be the story for the rest of the week and likely next week as well, so we will use the Rundown as a way to keep you informed of the latest information and news regarding the coronavirus.

Today in Tupelo…

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• The Hunger Coalition is offering free lunches for students at two different times and locations today. The first lunch will be served in the parking lot of the North Green Street Boys and Girls Club at 11:30 am. The second meal will be given out at 12:30 pm at the Haven Acres Boys and Girls Club.
• Several housing complexes are being served meals through the Hunger Coalition and local churches. Contact Jason Martin for more information: jason@unitedwaynems.org or 662-432-1894. Check out the list below.
  • Hilldale Apartments – Calvary Baptist ChurchKirkwood Apartments – The Orchard
  • Tupelo Housing N. Green – St. James Catholic Church, Hope Church, and Green Street Church of Christ
  • Tupelo Housing Lawhon – Harrisburg Baptist Church
  • Haven Acres – Hope Church
  • Verona – Chandler’s Temple CME, Harrisburg Baptist Church
  • Richey Apartments Mooreville – Auburn Baptist

• The Salvation Army will be providing grab n go lunches until further notice. All social services are expected to continue as usual.

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Other Happenings Near Tupelo Today

• First Baptist Church of New Albany is serving 500 sack lunches for any student at any elementary, middle, or high school in New Albany. These free lunches will be given out between 11 am and 1 pm at the Union County Courthouse or FBC’s Family Life Center.
• Lee County Meals on Wheels will continue delivery services.
• Ellistown Baptist Church will provide meals for East Union Students from 8 pm – 5 pm.
• Sherman Church of Christ will be giving free breakfast and lunches to students today until Friday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
• First Baptist Church of Ripley will continue their pickup lunches for students between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Families who need lunches for the rest of the week can come back between 5 pm and 7 pm to pick them up.
• Alcorn School District will be providing pickup meals for students in need from 9 am – 11 am outside each school’s cafeteria. If the meals cannot be picked up, contact your school’s office and delivery arrangements will be made.

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MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT IN TUPELO

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At press time, Karly Clayton is still scheduled to perform live at Steele’s Dive at 7 pm. If you’ve got cabin fever, this is your chance to get out for a bit and enjoy some live, local tunes!

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We’re here to keep YOU in the know, and we don’t want to miss a thing!

You can notify us about a missing listing or an upcoming event you want us to know about by:

• Tagging our Facebook page on a post
• Marking us as a co-host on your Facebook event
• Sending a direct message on our Facebook page
• Or by shooting us an email at submit@ourtupelo.com

For a more in-depth look at what’s coming up in our area, check out our extended calendar of events!

That’s a wrap for today, y’all! Have a fantastic Monday!