Wesley House receives $100,000 donation

MERIDIAN, Miss. - The Wesley House Community Center received a $100,000 donation today from the new establishment “Mac Haik Food Fund” sponsored by Meridian native, Mac Haik and his wife. This service is in honor of his late parents, Joe and Frances Haik.

“My dad died when I was really young. My mom was a fantastic person and I wanted to honor her," said Haik. "I’m just glad to do it and I hope this will brighten some people’s lives.”

With the donation, the Wesley House is not only able to provide more substantial food items, they also plan to purchase a walk-in freezer. Assistant Executive Director of the Wesley House, Brandy Rey says the food demand has doubled over the past three years and about 1,200 bags are passed out per month.

“...allowing us to take this donation and to stretch it to be able to serve residents in need--to just entrust us to provide food and nourishment for families all over who are just in need. We are just so thankful and grateful to them,” said Rey.

Haik is a former football player at Meridian High School and was recognized as an All SEC and Honorable Mention All American Play at Ole Miss. He had a four-year success as a first draft choice of the then NFL Houston Oilers before an injury. Mac has been inducted into the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame and the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. He now serves on the Entrepreneurship Board for the college.

With the help of 20 close friends from Meridian, he was able to make the donation a success.

“I’m really proud of the guys in the committee with what they did and what they chipped in. They’re going to do all the hard work,” said Haik. “We just did around the grif and we don’t deserve anything. The people who are doing this everyday really deserve all the credit.”

Haik now resides in Houston, Texas. The Wesley House hands out food bags once a month on Wednesday. For more information, call (601)485-4736.