Arkansas Foodbank Network - Overview

Overview

The Foodbank provides hunger-relief services through the following programs:

• Kid's Cafe—provides meals to children in after-school programs at seven Boys and Girls Clubs in Pulaski County and the surrounding counties.
• Senior Supplement Program—provides groceries to low-income seniors
• Rural Delivery Program—delivers food to rural food pantries in Arkansas on a monthly basis
• Fresh Produce Initiative—seeks to obtain surplus produce for distribution, as many low-income families are forced to purchase food with a higher calorie content because it is cheaper than more nutritious items
• Backpack for Kids—delivered to children in Monroe County who would otherwise not have food for the weekend

In 2004, NTFB received nearly $33 million in support, of which over $27 million consisted of donated food and grocery items and other in-kind donations. NTFB distributed nearly 28 million pounds of food to over 650,000 families, as well as over 6.3 million meals and snacks.

In 2010, as a result of a $10.3 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the Arkansas Foodbank began construction on a new warehouse and distribution facility. On March 28, 2011, operations began at the new Arkansas Foodbank Donald W. Reynolds Distribution Center. Key advantages of the new facility is that it more than doubles the Foodbank's storage capacity for dry, refrigerated, and frozen products, it will serve to accelerate food sourcing and distribution, give the Foodbank the ability to handle diverse products for better diets for the hungry people of Arkansas, and lastly, improves the usable facilities for volunteers, especially groups of volunteers seeking worthwhile community service projects.

The Arkansas Foodbank is a member of Feeding America.