Today I am working from home in a guest bedroom/office watching the snow to continue to fall. It looks like we have 4 to 6 inches on the ground, but it is so light it blows around and drifts, so it is hard to tell. Those of us who have the ability are working from home today and tomorrow. The Food Bank is closed. Deciding to be open or closed is one of the more difficult choices I have to make. On one hand, I don’t want to put any of my team, or partner agencies in danger by asking them to come to work on snow-packed roads. On the other hand, our food insecure neighbors need us now more than ever. Fortunately, as Tom and I discussed yesterday afternoon, we will only have to make this decision a couple times more before spring.

While I may be ready for spring, our food insecure neighbors, especially those with school age children might not be excited about spring break. With the schools closed, their kiddos don’t have access to the school lunch program that sustains them. Sabrina Thiede and our programs team have planned for spring break by distributing extra large boxes the week before spring break.

For those of you who are associated with one of our partner agencies, please mark Monday, March 7 on your calendar. That is the day of our annual agency meeting.

This year’s meeting will feature a video presentation from Dr. Katie Martin, author of REINVENTING FOOD BANKS AND FOOD PANTRIES. Dr. Martin’s book has been required reading for most of the Food Bank staff since I came across the book last fall. I know you will enjoy her presentation while also learning a lot about how to better serve our neighbors in need. In addition, there will be a day full of breakout sessions which will help you learn ways to not only make you more efficient, but also ways to make your volunteer jobs easier. I look forward to seeing you at the Jones Center.

I wrote this section in December for our February direct mail newsletter focused on our senior neighbors. In case you don’t get our direct mail pieces, I wanted you to see it.

“I would argue with just about anyone that my parents were better than theirs. Mom and Dad shared all that they had and taught my sisters and me that it truly is more blessed to give than receive. They instilled in each of us a giving heart. Their influence is one of the reasons I do what I do and one of the reasons my sister volunteers at her church food pantry in Texas. They also had a deep sense of independence. I wonder how many other parents, like mine, are out there. Parents who have outlived their savings. Parents who have to choose between medicine and groceries. Parents who believe there is someone who needs assistance more than they do? I would assume lots. While I couldn’t get my parents to listen to me and accept assistance, I’m begging our mature readers to accept our help if they need it. That’s why the Food Bank exists. We want to support our neighbors of all ages without question, without judgement and with dignity and respect. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank was founded with the philosophy that one hungry person was one too many. We still hold true to that value today. If you are that one hungry person, let us help you. Go to www.nwafoodbank.org and click on the find food tab. We’ll take care of you.”

In closing, please let me express my deepest appreciation for your support over the past couple of years. The stress caused by COVID 19 on our region’s fiscal infrastructure has been devastating to a lot of families. I’ve said it before and will continue to say it. It is for reasons such as this that the Food Bank was founded back in 1988 with the mindset that one hungry person is one too many. It is only with your continued help that we can be there to serve our neighbors in need. So, as I almost always close……….

Because of you, someone will eat today.

Have a great February.

K

Kim is a native of central Arkansas and a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas. Excluding a few years living in Sydney, AU, Little Rock, AR and Birmingham, AL, she has lived in NWA since 1990. Married to her husband Dale for 32 years, they operate a small family business, Daniels Farm, Breeders of Fine Tennessee Walking Horses in Highfill, AR. They have 1 daughter and 1 grandson. Kim is also a licensed auctioneer and enjoys helping non-profit organizations increase proceeds from their fundraising events. In her free time, she enjoys attending estate auctions and sales, watching old movies and visiting thrift stores looking for treasures.

Jeff is a native of Norman, Oklahoma and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He moved to the NWA region in 1993. He most recently worked as State Rep. Steve Womack’s Field Representative and Law Enforcement Coordinator. He and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy volunteering across the region, with a personal service emphasis on the Saint Vincent DePaul Church Food Pantry in Rogers, one of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s partner agencies.

Haley is a native of Memphis, TN. She and her husband, along with their two dogs, moved to the Northwest Arkansas region almost two years ago. She is a graduate of the University of the Ozarks with a degree in Environmental Studies. She previously worked at Apple Seeds, where she was able to teach children about gardening, cooking and nutrition. She is looking forward to continuing to educate people on these topics and help fight food insecurity in the community.

Tucked in the back of a building on Sunset Avenue in Springdale is Feed the 479, one of our partner agencies that offers a client choice style food pantry. The term client choice means our neighbors facing hunger can choose what food items would serve their family best.


This is where we met Yessenia, a Springdale neighbor who lives with her husband and their four kids. Since COVID, money has been a little tight and they do not qualify for federal nutrition programs for help, which led them to visit Feed the 479. Despite monetary setbacks, they are so grateful to have these types of organizations in our communities.


“It means a lot because it helps us out practically throughout the whole month with groceries. It means a lot to be able to come in and pick what items our family would eat. We thank God that there are people that you can reach out to and get food products,” says Yessenia.


They heard about the food pantry from relatives who had visited Feed the 479 and how helpful the staff is. For Yessenia and her family, not having to worry about the staggering prices of food, they are able to focus their money on bills and other items for the family.

In 2021 we distributed over 1.9 million pounds of food in the four counties we serve in NWA. Of that 1.9 million pounds, 49% of that food was donated to us. We love our community and the support it gives us in helping to feed our food insecure neighbors.
THANK YOU!!!

“If it had not been for you folks we would not be doing what we are doing in Goshen and the surrounding area. Thanks for everything and Happy New Year.” - Neil Carey, General Manager, Goshen UMC Food Pantry – a partner agency of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.

“My husband lost his job. Now we’re having to focus the unemployment money on our house and truck payment and everything. This really helps a lot.” - Christina, Springdale neighbor.

Placed right in the middle of a residential subdivision in Springdale sits Bayyari Elementary School. Along with kids learning and the loud noises of school letting out, once a month, you’ll see boxes stacked up right at the entrance. In those boxes, produce, canned foods, and pasta noodles, which are headed home with some of their students. One out of every four children in Northwest Arkansas are food insecure, meaning they don’t know where their next meal is coming from, which is why we created our School Pantry program.

One of the moms in line to pick up food for the first time is Danielle. She told us this is such a huge help for her and her family. “We’re barely trying to figure things out, and this really does help. I’m in the middle class and I don’t qualify for food stamps or anything like that,” but she doesn’t only help out her own family. She also takes food for her daughter’s best friends’ mom. They recently faced hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she wants to help as much as she’s able. “It is a help for them right now. I was able to pick up a box for my friend. They’ve dealt with the COVID situation and lost a job, so I’m happy to help.”

We believe all children have the right to arrive at school happy, healthy and ready to learn. If you are interested in getting your school involved, please email Sabrina Thiede at sabrina.Thiede@nwafoodbank.org for more information.

During the month of January, we had 107 volunteers for a total of 483 hours. We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers!

To find a date and time that would work for you and your schedule, please visit www.nwafoodbank.org/volunteer .

Thank you!

Make plans to join us at this fun event!

DATE: Thursday, April 21, 2022

LOCATION: The Grove Comedy Club – Lowell

TIME: 6PM

To purchase tickets: bidpal.net/standupforhunger

Proceeds benefit the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.