Letter From Our President & CEO – July 10th, 2024

We’re in!

After years and years of planning and two weeks shy of exactly two years since the ceremonial groundbreaking, we officially moved into the Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief. And boy, are we excited to share it. Almost daily we have a community partner come for a tour. Almost daily we

have a new group of volunteers come enjoy the space. In fact, today we had a group of 40 +/- volunteer in the morning followed by an equally large group in the afternoon. It made my heart swell when I watched nearly 100 individuals working together to help address food insecurity. But large volunteer groups are just the beginning of what the capacity of this building will bring to the fight. Thank you all for your part in making this dream a reality.

I want to give a shout out to our Feed Rogers team of staff and volunteers. As you all know, on May 26 Feed Rogers, along with hundreds of other buildings in Rogers was damaged to the point that we had to shut down. But rather than host a pity party, the staff pulled together with an alternate plan and on May 28 began serving our neighbors through an alternate delivery system which has gone on without missing a beat. We’re not exactly sure when the repairs to the building will be complete. In the meantime, our neighbors in need can go to our order ahead portal, place their order and pick it up at the Claude and Betty Center for Hunger Relief in Lowell. I want to give special thanks to Cross Church in

Rogers who hosted the Order Ahead pick up in June prior to our decision to begin distribution at our own facility.

Speaking of tornado recovery, once again Northwest Arkansans have stepped up to help as needed. In the days immediately after the tornado, several groups opened up feeding sites for those persons who were affected by damage to their homes, loss of power, loss of work, or whatever. I’m not going to call out any specific groups because I’m afraid I will forget someone. Bottom line, people were fed. In the weeks following, business and community began reaching out to us asking how they could help. Our response was that it will take months for the community to fully recover and get back to semi-normalcy. Supporters began donating money and food so that when our partner agencies begin to see neighbors show up for assistance, they will have all the food they need. We are putting those donations to good use by ordering extra food in order to stock those pantries when they are ready.

In closing, I just want to say something I’ve said thousands of times before. We at the Food Bank are so grateful and appreciative of your support. We simply cannot operate without you. I wish I could thank you each individually, but since that is not possible, please read this sentence and visualize that it is me speaking directly to you…………….

“Your name here

I appreciate you. Thank you so much for your support. Because of you, someone will eat today!"

Kent

We think we have the best volunteers out there! These are just a few pictures of some that so graciously give us their time helping us feed our neighbors in need. If you or your group would like to sign up to volunteer with us, please visit www.nwafoodbank.org/volunteer. You will find several options for volunteering that will fit your preferred opportunity, day, and time. THANK YOU for choosing us! We appreciate you!

Feeding America released its findings in the most recent *Map the Meal Gap study, and results are consistent with what we're seeing at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank: food insecurity is on the rise in Northwest Arkansas. The report, which looks at data from 2022 was released in May. It shows that more than 89,000 of our neighbors are food-insecure, a jump of nearly 17% since the last report. 

"Obviously, we are disappointed to hear these numbers, but not surprised." said Kent Eikenberry President/ CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Coming out of the pandemic, many government programs which supported our food insecure neighbors were discontinued. Then, we entered into a period of rapid inflations which affected just about everything including gas and groceries. Another reason for the rise in food insecurity is simply the fact that northwest Arkansas has more residents. Yes, we are disappointed, but every day we attack the issue with more resolve, vetting new ideas which may move the needle."

We would love for you to join us in the fight against food insecurity in our area.

To Donate: https://nwafoodbank.givecloud.co/donatetoday

To Volunteer: https://northwestarkansasfoodbank.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

*Map the Meal Gap is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district in the country. The study builds upon the USDA's latest report of national and state data, which showed a sharp increase in food insecurity in 2022 amidst historically high food prices and the expiration of many pandemic-era programs. Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from the USDA ERS, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ based on the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country.

To access this information visit: https://map.feedingamerica.org/

Going to a food pantry for the first time can be overwhelming, but We Are Nourished Food Pantry wants to make your visit uncomplicated and encouraging. 

On Wednesdays, you’ll first start off at check-in, registering with information like your name, address and how many people are in your household. 

Then when your name is called, you’ll grab a shopping cart. With a client-choice setup, you’ll walk through pantry shelves, picking out meals, snacks, hygiene items and other items. Volunteers are close by if you need assistance. Once you’ve made your selections, you’ll finish by packing up your food at the bagging area. 

Along with non-perishable foods, the food pantry also has produce, bread, desserts, and frozen meat. They also distribute emergency-sized bags of dog and cat food. 

There are no restrictions on how often people can visit, and no qualifications or residency requirements. 

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to We Are Nourished Food Pantry, one of 110+ agency partners across the region. 

Along with the Food Bank, We Are Nourished Food Bank sources its food from a variety of local organizations, including fellow agency partners. They work together with St. James Food Pantry to distribute produce. 

Volunteers also go “to the Crossover Walmart every day, five days a week, and we pick up rescue foods,” said Joy, leader of We Are Nourished Food Pantry. “We never know what we’re getting, but it always seems like it’s really good stuff.” 

Local retail partners work with the Food Bank and our agency partners to distribute a variety of products from meats, produce, and bakery items to shelf-stable and dry goods. 

Visitors shared they appreciated the pantry’s evening hours, the kind volunteers and the variety of food options. 

“We’re always trying to make it a better experience for our neighbors,” Joy said. 

We Are Nourished Food Pantry, a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church, is open on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1021 Sycamore Street in Fayetteville. They can be contacted at 479-530-4395.

After decades of serving as a teacher, Sharon planned to spend her retirement checking off her reading list. Instead, she’s been busy with a new way to help her community.

She and her niece regularly visit GFA Pantry in Gentry, picking up food for multiple neighbors who live in her senior apartment complex and can’t go to the pantry themselves.

Helping others “is good for us, the ones who do it and the ones who get to receive it,” she said.

While dropping off food, one neighbor told Sharon they “love that the food pantry is unconditional,” and that “they are there to help and not to judge.”

Another neighbor told Sharon, “I appreciate their goodwill and their good food and seeing that some of us old folks have the nourishment that we need, that we otherwise might not have access to. Their concern is to be commended.”

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to the GFA Pantry, one of 110+ agency partners across the region. Housed within The Assembly Gentry church, the pantry provides help with food, toiletries and household items each month.

There are no income or residency requirements to receive help. All someone needs to do is fill out a form when they visit.

Expressing gratitude for GFA Pantry and the Food Bank’s support, Sharon shared, “With the Food Bank, we’re able to have very good food, and it helps us stretch our retirement pensions.”

The GFA Pantry is open every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They are located at 821 E. Main Street in Gentry. They can be contacted at 662-727-5157.