Food banks in Arkansas play a vital role in combating hunger, offering essential services to ensure those in need have access to nutritious food. This article highlights the key food banks operating throughout the state, explaining their functions and significance in the community. By supporting these food banks, you can help provide food security to many Arkansans and make a positive impact on the fight against hunger.
Arkansas Foodbank
Arkansas Foodbank, serving 33 counties, partners with over 300 agencies to distribute food through community pantries, meal programs, and shelters. Their initiatives include providing healthy food access, mini-grants for capacity building, Foodbank University training sessions, and Pop Up Pantries for mobile food distribution. They address childhood hunger through backpacks, school pantries, and summer feeding sites, and support seniors with food boxes, SNAP application assistance, and workshops. These efforts aim to address the immediate and long-term impacts of hunger, ensuring children grow healthily and seniors receive the food they need.
Location: 4301 W 65th Street, Little Rock, AR 72209
Service Counties: 33 counties in central and southern Arkansas
Contact: (501) 565-8121
Website: arkansasfoodbank.org
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
They operate several programs to reach the most vulnerable, including a Mobile Pantry Program making 19 stops monthly, a School Pantry program to provide food directly to students and their families, SNAP Outreach services to assist with SNAP applications, and emergency boxes distributed through local hospitals and community helpers.
Location: 1604 Honeysuckle Street PO BOX 2126
Service Counties: Benton, Carroll, Washington, and Madison
Contact: (479) 872-8774
Website: nwafoodbank.org
Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas
They operate a Backpack Program to provide food for children on weekends and school holidays, a Commodity Distribution Program conducting food distributions in 11 counties, and a Food Pantry Network serving over 100 local agencies. They also provided over 2 million pounds of fresh produce in 2022 and established a Senior Food Pantry Network to help seniors at risk of hunger.
Location: 3414 One Place, Jonesboro, AR 72404
Service Counties: Jonesboro, Craighead, Crittenden, Clay, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Sharp, and Woodruff
Contact: (870) 932-3663
Website: foodbankofnea.org
Food Bank of North Central Arkansas
They support several programs, including backpack programs to provide meals for children, the USDA TEFAP Program to distribute commodity foods, and the Norfork Community Care Program, which includes a food pantry, thrift store, and Heirloom Seed Shop. They also assist with SNAP and WIC applications.
Location: 1042 Highland Circle, Mountain Home, AR 72653
Service Counties: Baxter, Boone, Marion, Newton, Searcy, and Stone
Contact: (870) 499-7565
Website: foodbanknca.org
Harvest Regional Food Bank
heir programs include a Summer Feeding Program, which ensures children have access to meals during the summer months, and various hunger relief efforts, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. They serve over 60,000 food-insecure individuals annually and provide numerous opportunities for community involvement through donations and volunteering
Location: 3120 E. 19th St., Texarkana, AR 71854
Service Counties: Bowie, Little River, Hempstead, Miller, Nevada, and Sevier
Contact: (870) 774-1398
Website: harvestregionalfoodbank.org
River Valley Regional Food Bank
They distribute food through nearly 145 partner agencies, obtaining inventory from donations, the federal government, and purchased foods. Their programs include the USDA TEFAP Program, providing commodity foods to partner agencies, and they emphasize the importance of donations and food recovery to reduce waste and support their operations
Location: 1617 S Zero St, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Service Counties: Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Polk, Scott, Sebastian, and Yell
Contact: (479) 785-0582
Website: rvrfoodbank.org
How Arkansas Food Banks Operate
Arkansas food banks efficiently collect surplus food from various sources such as manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and community donations. These items are stored in large warehouses where they are inspected, sorted, and repacked. The food is then distributed to local agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, ensuring it reaches those in need across the state. This systematic process ensures that both urban and rural communities have access to food assistance.
How to Donate to Food Banks in Arkansas
There are several ways to support food banks in Arkansas:
- Monetary Donations: Financial contributions can be made directly on food banks’ websites, helping fund operations and purchase food.
- Food Donations: Non-perishable food items can be donated at designated drop-off locations.
- Volunteering: Volunteers are essential for sorting, packing, and distributing food. Check the food banks’ websites for opportunities.
- Hosting a Food Drive: Organize a food drive in your community, workplace, or school to collect food donations. Food banks provide guidelines and promotional materials to assist you.
Importance of Arkansas Food Banks
Food banks in Arkansas are crucial for mitigating hunger and food insecurity. They effectively redistribute surplus food, reduce waste, and provide nutritional support to vulnerable populations. By collaborating with local agencies, food banks ensure that even remote communities receive necessary food assistance. These efforts are vital for maintaining the