A group of young professionals and Chick-fil-a are partnering for a good cause.

The Vicksburg – Warren Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals (VYP) have partnered with Chick-fil-a Vicksburg to help fight childhood food insecurity. During the month of June, for every Chocolate Chunk Cookie sold at Chick-fil-a Vicksburg, $1 will be donated to the Vicksburg Young Professionals. Their goal is to use the funds to fight against childhood food insecurity and support local efforts to feed kids in need. VYP plans on providing meals to after school programs this summer to help kids that normally get their only meals during the school day.

Managed by an advisory board, The Vicksburg Young Professionals mission is to create dynamic programming where they can grow personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the Vicksburg and Warren County community. The group focuses on three key areas that are essential to the development of young professionals, the community, and the overall success of Vicksburg: Networking, Leadership Development, and Community Service.

Each year the Vicksburg Young Professionals complete a variety of community service projects. In March, they teamed up with Teens United of the United Way of West Central Mississippi to create heartfelt cards to be given to the residents at the Vicksburg Convalescent Home.

Last September, they partnered with Extra Table, a non-profit from Hattiesburg, and with 100 volunteers they coordinated a red beans and rice packing event and packaged  over 2,500 bags that were distributed to churches, organizations, and food pantries to be given to residents of Vicksburg and Warren County. They will be doing the Red Beans and Rice Packing event again on Tuesday, September 23 with Extra Table.

More projects are coming down the pike, all envisioned by the Young Professionals Community Service Chair Stormy Dupre.

“As a native of Vicksburg, I’m deeply invested in the well-being and future of our city,” Dupre said. “I wanted to serve as the Community Service Chair because I believe that when young professionals give back, we not only support those in need, we also help build a stronger, more united Vicksburg.

“This year, we’re focusing our efforts on our most vulnerable populations: children, the homeless, and the elderly, to ensure they feel supported and seen,” she said. “Through our projects, we aim to provide meals, create moments of connection, and meet real needs in our community. It’s about using our time and talents to serve those who need us most and helping Vicksburg thrive in the process.”

“The Warren County Chamber of Commerce is proud to see the Vicksburg Young Professionals group taking meaningful action to uplift those most in need within our community,” said Pablo Diaz, President & CEO of the Vicksburg-Warren Partnership, a group that oversees the chamber. “This is exactly the kind of engagement we envision when bringing together young professionals—we want them to connect with both the opportunities and challenges of our region and to grow into committed, forward-thinking stakeholders.

“We commend their dedication to service and encourage other young professionals to get involved and join in this valuable network of peers striving to grow personally and professionally,” Diaz said.