Throwback Thursday - Celebrating Leadership: Chris Thompson As we celebrate 60 years of service during Community Action Month, we recognize the lasting contributions of past leaders — including former CEO Chris Thompson, who guided West Central through a period of growth, innovation, and expanded community impact. During Chris’s tenure, West Central launched several key initiatives that continue to strengthen our region today. A robust Food Systems program took root under his leadership, supporting farm entrepreneurs, local market development, and the creation of the popular Farm to Fork Food Conference. In 2017, the agency also launched the New Growth Community Development Corporation, expanding our mission through entrepreneurship, finance, and transportation. Today, New Growth is home to several impactful programs: The New Growth Women’s Business Center, one of only five rural and remote WBCs in the U.S., serving 13 Missouri counties and 2 in Kansas New Growth Capital, providing lending support for small businesses New Growth Transit, a volunteer-driven network providing rides across a 16-county region We’re proud to honor Chris Thompson’s vision and leadership — and the legacy of innovation he helped build. #CommunityActionMonth #WestCentralProud #LeadershipLegacy #NewGrowth #FoodSystems #60YearsStrong (fb)

Mobile Action Center Schedule | May 26–29, 2025 West Central's MAC is bringing services on the road again next week. Here’s where we’ll be: Monday, May 26 – No MAC Service (Memorial Day) Tuesday, May 27 – Sheldon & Hume • Sheldon City Hall (Vernon County) – 110 Main St | 9:00 AM–11:00 AM • Hume City Hall (Bates County) – 201 Main St, Hume | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM Wednesday, May 28 – No MAC Service Thursday, May 29 – Stover (Morgan County) • Stover City Hall – 107 W 2nd Street | 9:30 AM–3:00 PM Need help with utility assistance, housing resources, or other services? Text: 660-466-2134 | Call: 660-476-2185 (follow prompts) | Email: info@wcmcaa.org (fb)