The Boards of Directors of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and Feed Communities are excited to announce the consolidation of their operations. The Board of Directors of Feed Communities voted earlier this summer to dissolve their 501(c)(3) and become part of the NWA Food Bank effective Sunday, September 1, 2019.

“We are excited to welcome Feed Communities into our family,” said Leah Acoach, Chairperson of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Board of Directors. “They will be an integral part of our strategic plan to increase access to resources for all food insecure individuals living in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington Counties by 2025.”

Feed Communities will continue to operate under the name Feed Communities and will integrate with the educational role of the Food Bank. The staff of Feed Communities will continue to work with area community gardens, teaching residents how to grow their own vegetables to aid in a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the diabetes education classes will continue and will combine perfectly with a recent endeavor of the NWA Food Bank. The staff of the NWA Food Bank has partnered with UAMS to craft an effective nutrition policy, and Feed Communities will work diligently to implement that plan by working closely with the NWA Food Bank’s 160 partner agencies. “I have big plans for Feed Communities to flourish as a part of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. These programs are just the beginning.” Kent Eikenberry, President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.

Angie Albright, Feed Communities Board of Directors Chairperson, said, “We are excited about this new chapter in the story of Feed Communities. Since our founding, we have worked to connect organizations and initiatives to create sustainable food networks. This transition is simply an evolution of our mission and a continuation of our effort to promote sustainability in the food networks in northwest Arkansas. We are thrilled to be a part of the future of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and its efforts to increase access to healthy foods for all food insecure families in our region.”

”When we started Feed Communities in early 2011, we looked to the NWA Food Bank to join efforts. The timing, however, just wasn't right. They continued to build their distribution operations, and Feed Communities developed multiple programs to fill a variety of community, food - system gaps. We've come full-circle, the stars have aligned, and I couldn't be happier about this collaboration! Our partnership will serve the people of NWA in ways that are most effective, efficient, and sustainable. That's a win for all.” Denise Garner, founder of Feed Communities.

“Food insecurity is too large a problem for one organization to solve by itself. Collaboration is the answer. We have worked hard to develop relationships with other not for profits in the area to reduce duplication and redundancy, trying to identify what each organization does best. As we did this research, conversations began that the mission of Feed Communities and the Food Bank aligned perfectly. It was a simple progression to integrate Feed Communities to our organization.” Eikenberry stated.
++++++
About Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank (a 501c3 organization) was established in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the need for hunger assistance in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. In 2017 the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributed more than 12.5 million pounds of food. Together with more than 160 partner agencies, we are able to reach out to those in need; providing nutritious food to children, the working poor and senior citizens. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America and a founding member of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

For more information
Kent Eikenberry, President CEO Northwest Arkansas Food Bank 479-419-5392 kent@nwafoodbank.org
Angie Albright, President Feed Communities Board of Directors 479-713-0154 angiealbright@gmail.com