Derek's Story

"I’ve been a single dad to my three children for the last six years. One day my wife drove up, dropped off the kids and said she was leaving. It’s been just us four ever since.

I work nights so I can be there for my kids during the day. You know, even though I’m working and doing well, I still always come up short – between paying for clothes, insurance, school supplies. Things get expensive.

When I first started raising my children, there were a lot of times when I’ve wondered where I would get the food to feed them. Sometimes I’d only eat once a day so I could make sure they would have three meals. I did not want my children to ask me what was for dinner and have to say there was nothing.

There came a point when I knew I had to ask for help – that I could not do this all on my own. It’s a humbling experience, going to a food pantry, but you got to do what you’ve got to do. The pantry gives me healthy food to feed my kids. Since I found the food pantry, I’ve never had to worry about my children going hungry.

The food pantry has been a huge blessing. And I do hope that someday I won’t have to use it anymore. But in the meantime I am so fortunate that it is there to help. And to everyone that makes the food pantry possible, I am truly thankful to you."

Please consider donating to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank today to help us continue to provide families with the food they need. For every $1 donated, 5 meals are provided.