A few days ago, we celebrated a milestone here at the Food Bank. In the past 10 years, Tyson has donated over 7 million pounds of protein. As I told the group present, I cannot imagine a world without Tyson in it. The support for the Food Bank comes from the production worker all the way through executive row. You may be saying, “7 million pounds, that’s nice” but let me put those numbers in perspective for you. Special thanks goes out to Sherri Johnson, a Tyson team member who is on our board for these factoids.

*7 million pounds equals 200 semi-truckloads of protein (35,000 pound average truckload)

*200 trailers lined up end to end would be over 2 miles long

*7 million pounds equals 28,000,000 servings

*28,000,000 servings is equivalent to serving each person in a sold out Donald W Reynolds Razorback stadium nearly 390 times.

Plus, this generous donation of product is only part of what Tyson does for us. Just recently they provided the money to replace some much needed equipment in our warehouse. They offer staff expertise when we have a logistical or operational question. They allow staff members to serve on our board. They allow staff members to volunteer. The list goes on and on.

So speaking on behalf of over 70,000 food insecure folks in northwest Arkansas, thank you Tyson for all you do to make northwest Arkansas a great place to live.

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September is Hunger Action month. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see just some of the events we have planned to bring awareness to food insecurity in northwest Arkansas and beyond. I would like to give special shout out to all the Food Bank staff who have worked so hard to get events scheduled that are unique and will make a difference in so many people’s lives. One specific thing I want to bring to your attention is our tabloid insert scheduled to appear in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Sunday, August 26 and their affiliated weekly newspapers the week after. This supplement will not only list all the activities but will further explain the role of the Food Bank as we address this important quality of life issue.

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As part of Hunger Action Month, I invite you to “Take a Bite out of hunger.” This is collaborative effort with area restaurants who have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Food Bank. A complete schedule is in this newsletter and will be in the above mentioned newspaper insert. One specific day I want to bring to your attention is September 14. That night my friends at Brick Street Brews have agreed to turn over their taps to Diana, some Food Bank staffers and myself as part of their Guest Bartender program. The Food Bank will get a portion of the evening’s sales along with 100% of the tip jar. Please stop by downtown Rogers, enjoy a cold one and test our pouring skills.

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Our annual fundraising GALA, the Jewels of Giving, is just around the corner. On Friday, November 17 we invite you to join us at the John Q Hammons for an evening of dinner and dancing. This is our 9th annual, and it continues to grow each year. It features one of the area’s premier silent auctions, which by the way is a great place to get some Christmas shopping done; a live auction, great good and fellowship. It is truly a great way to support our cause. Sponsorship packages are still available and of course individual tickets.

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This past week Diana and I spent some time in the Pacific Northwest tying some vacation time into a business trip. As breathtaking as some of the sites there were, I was really glad when our plane touched down and I was back in Northwest Arkansas. While we are not without our challenges, our little corner of the world is in my opinion the best place anyone could live. Thank you all for what you do to make this place special. And remember…

Because of you someone will eat today.

Kent