Sometimes life is just inches away from disaster. I’m somewhat embarrassed to share this story but if you will indulge it, there is a reason. Earlier this week, I headed out for my pre-dawn walk and reflection time. I was about two blocks from my house when a car came down the street. I stepped up into a driveway, like I have done thousands of times before. After the car passed, I started to walk again, only to trip on the curb and face plant onto the street. Fortunately, I was not badly hurt. A couple of scrapes on my nose and forehead and a cut on one hand. But where I am going with this is that one of my first thoughts was of a friend who had fallen while jogging, who dislodged her brain and went through a two- year recovery cycle. I also thought of my friend Bob, who runs a non-profit in Las Vegas for persons who have developmental issues or who have had some type of brain trauma. I sure didn’t want to be one of his clients. I share this story to remind us of what I often say, we are all “this close” to needing assistance. One misstep can make all the difference in the world.

Speaking of “this close” to needing help, many of the people we see today at food pantries or at our mobile pantries have not needed food assistance in the past. Whether it is because of gas prices, utility prices, overall inflation, or an unplanned expense, they have moved from being close to the edge to falling off the edge and needing help. Since 1988 the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank has been there as a safety net for those who need nutritious food. We cannot do it without your support, so thank you for putting your trust in us to support our neighbors in need.

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see some photos showing the progress of the new Center for Hunger Relief. While we have lost several days due to weather, progress is moving forward on a building all of Northwest Arkansas can be proud of and be a part of. We are in the final stages of our Food For Today/Hope For Tomorrow capital campaign. We truly do want this to be the community’s Food Bank, so for information of how you can help make this dream a reality, and join the nearly 300 donors who have already contributed to the campaign, please go to hope.nwafoodbank.org. Thank you for your consideration.

It takes us all. April is National Volunteer Month. I want to give a giant thank you to all of you out there who volunteer. Whether you are packing boxes, bagging beans (as the group working today is doing), stocking shelves at Feed Rogers, working at a mobile pantry, harvesting or hoeing in the garden, or doing any one of hundreds of other volunteer tasks, you make a difference. Last year 1,664 individuals volunteered a total of 12,263 hours. That’s the equivalent of six full time employees. I cannot begin to thank you all enough for what you do.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank monthly newsletter. If you come across anything that piques your interest, please don’t hesitate to give us a call for more information.

Because of you, someone will eat today

K

Jerry first learned about the Community Meals at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from a friend. Each week, the church, which is a partner agency of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, hosts free meals, cooked from scratch by volunteers.

He’s been attending for about five years and loved today’s meal - tomato, cheese and chicken pasta, with green beans, garlic bread, salad and dessert. “It’s top-notch – it’s good,” he said.

He often comes with friends and also picks up the go-to meal, typically a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He encourages anyone who is hungry to come to the meals.

St. Paul’s hosts Community Meals on Mondays and Wednesdays from from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 224 N. East Ave. in Fayetteville. For more information, contact 479-442-7373.

At Bread of Life, you can find support for your family with fresh groceries and personal hygiene items. As a partner agency of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Bread of Life helps anyone in need with once-a-month food support. They also distribute USDA commodities (for this program, you must live in Washington County and meet income requirements).

To receive assistance, no appointment is required. You go in and fill out a pantry sheet to pick which foods you would like. Volunteers will fulfill your order and help you load the food into your vehicle.

“We’re really just a community here, and if there’s a need, we try to meet it,” said Whitney, Missions and Outreach Coordinator at First Church Springdale, which oversees the pantry. “If we can’t meet it, we try to at least point them in the right direction.”

Bread of Life is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 212 W. Emma Ave. in Springdale. They can be contacted at 479-751-4610.

We are proud to support our veterans, serving those who have served our country.

This gift from the U.S. Submarine Veterans USS Snook Base group will ensure our neighbors, including veterans, have reliable access to food. Thank you all for your service and your generosity.