Callaway County foster program receives United Way community grant

$1,000 will help youth learn about nature, fishing

The Callaway County United Way's second issuance of small grant will help youth land a big catch.

The aid organization awarded its second $1,000 Community Enhancement Grant to the Callaway County chapter of the Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association (MFCAA), a non-profit organization services and advocacy group of foster and adoptive parents.

The money will buy lunches, educational kits and other supplies to benefit MFCAA's "Family Fun Fishing" event, an annual fishing trip co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation for local children who are fostered or adopted.

Callaway MFCAA President Nabrina Evans said the event "gives a fun, safe day for the foster families to spend time with their foster and adopted children."

This year's trip is planned April 12.

"There's just so many benefits when it comes to an outside activity for kids to participate in," Evans said. "It gives the kids kind of time to relax while they fish, and the excitement for when they actually do catch a fish is just priceless to see the smiles on their faces."