Everyday in Northwest Arkansas, there are nearly 100,000 hungry people. It is the goal of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank to make sure that all who are facing or experiencing hunger have access to nutritious food.

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank was established in 1988, by a group of concerned citizens who saw the need for hunger assistance in Northwest Arkansas. Over the past 20 years, the Food Bank grew
to serve citizens of Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties, a commitment still strong today.

Here are some recent statistics concerning the growth of hunger and poverty in Northwest Arkansas:

• 28.8% of Arkansas’ population lives in Northwest Arkansas.
• The 2000 Census determined Benton and Washington counties to be two of the top three counties with the most people living below the poverty level.
• According to the 2000 Census, poverty in Rogers grew by 130% over the last decade, while in Springdale poverty grew by 104%.
• Benton County ranks second in the state in number of people living in poverty.
• The total number of persons living in poverty in Northwest Arkansas’ four largest cities (Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale and Fayetteville) was 23,100 in 2000. By 2015, it is estimated that Northwest Arkansas will have the largest population of poverty in the state.

A breakdown by county: (2000 Census)

• Benton: more than 7.3% of families and 10.10% of the total population live below poverty.
• Washington: more than 19.9% of the population live below poverty. Fayetteville is the 3rd most populated city in   Arkansas.
• Madison: more than 18.6% of the population and 14.7% of families live below poverty.
• Carroll: more than 15.5% of the population and 11% of families live below poverty.