Arkansas Foodbank Named Among 39 Feeding America Food Banks to Receive MacKenzie Scott Donation

In response to a recent announcement made by philanthropist and author, MacKenzie Scott: 384 Ways to Help

[Little Rock, Ark.] – Writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott recently announced over $4.1 billion in gifts to charitable causes across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. We are proud to share with you that Arkansas Foodbank was included to receive a portion of this generosity.

Using research and data to inform how she would distribute the funds, Scott and her team thoughtfully curated a list of 6,490 charitable organizations that exhibited strong leadership and proven results. They paid special attention to those operating in communities facing high projected food insecurity, high measures of racial inequity, high local poverty rates and low access to philanthropic capital. Upon thorough review and deeper investigation, the final list was pared down to 384 organizations, resulting in a one-time gift of $9 million to Arkansas Foodbank.

In this unprecedented year of need, it is both rewarding and inspiring to see a donor like MacKenzie Scott respond to the devastating need in our region. By providing this generous donation, she shares our vision of a stronger community where hunger needs are met with sufficient access to nutritious food.

“Ms. Scott recognizes the struggle so many Arkansans have had to overcome in 2020,” said Rhonda Sanders, CEO of Arkansas Foodbank. “For that, we are honored to receive this generous outpouring of hope for our neighbors in need.”

We know that it will take a while for those affected by the pandemic to get back on their feet. This financial support thoughtfully equips Arkansas Foodbank to continue responding to immediate needs while also building capacity for the months ahead. With this donation, we’ll be able to provide even more assistance to our 320 agencies and 80 schools by acquiring larger volumes of donated and purchased food. We look forward to sharing more about our plans and the impact of this gift for the people we serve in the coming months.

“While this year is almost over, Arkansas Foodbank continues to meet the growing demand for food,” says Sanders. “With plans to maintain the increased level of distribution in 2021, this substantial gift will allow us to acquire a mix of food donations and purchases now, while also bracing for the future.”