Tyson Awards Arkansas Foodbank Grant for Mobile Pantries

 

Building stronger, healthier communities is a commitment Tyson Foods and the Arkansas Foodbank takes very seriously. That’s why we’re so proud to announce a $40,560 grant from Tyson to increase access to nutritious food through Mobile Pantries in Jefferson County.

Arkansas consistently ranks as one of the most food insecure states in the nation. There are an estimated 584,000 individuals, or one out of every five Arkansans, that do not always know where their next meal is going to come from. They report being forced to choose between paying for food and for other essential needs like utilities and medical care. Vulnerable populations are especially at-risk, with one in four children and seniors struggling with hunger. Studies have shown that food insecure children have lower academic achievement, more behavioral problems, and are more likely to suffer from long-term health issues.

One of the 33 counties served by the Arkansas Foodbank is Jefferson County. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, there are approximately 25.8% (18,690) residents of Jefferson County are food insecure. Approximately 26.7% (4,480 are children). With this grant, the Arkansas Foodbank will set up mobile food pantries once a month for twelve months in Jefferson County. These mobile pantries will help stabilize the food needs of these communities during periods of episodic hunger.

We will have our first distribution on Wednesday, May 22nd at Centennial Fellowship Church in White Hall from 3-5pm. For more information contact Kay Lynn Johnson | 870-549-9780.