Letter From Kent

So, we have done some shuffling of job duties here at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and as almost always happens something fell through the cracks. We forgot to do a newsletter for a couple of months. We have circled the wagons and found someone to take the lead on compiling and uploading all the information, so I hope we are back on track to share with you what is happening here at the Food Bank on a regular monthly basis.

The election is over. Regardless of who your candidate was or how you felt about an issue, time goes on. Which means the holidays are just around the corner. It is regularly documented about increased stress around the holiday. There are many reasons for this: Cooler weather, higher utilities; seasonal jobs such as landscaping slow down; even the fact that we leave for work in the dark and go home in the dark have an impact on each of us. For too many of our neighbors food insecurity is at the top of their stress list. Our role is to help reduce that stress by putting food in local pantries who in turn distribute it to those in need. The fourth quarter is critical for our continued success. We need your help. Year end giving helps support us through the lean first quarter of the year. Additional volunteers are needed to work through the food drive items and prepare these items for distribution. Simply taking a moment to reflect on what you have that others might not will impact our mission. For your support, as always, I thank you.

In the past month, I have been on television four times sharing our story. I was interviewed by Neile Jones and Don Harris for 8th and Walton. I, along with a group of volunteers from General Mills, appeared on KNWA’s “Doing Good” segment with Nate Kuester. Last Monday, I rolled out of bed at 3:15 am to meet Alex Durham of KFSM to talk about the Channel 5 “Give where you live” initiative sponsored by Harps. I am always ready, willing and able to talk to folks about food insecurity, what we do at the Food Bank, and in general share our story. However, having watched the recordings of each of these appearances, I am reminded that I have a face for Print. There is a reason why I have spent the last 40 plus years in the newspaper business and not as a TV star. Seriously though, I do want to express my deepest appreciation to each of these organizations for helping spread the word.

Through October 31, 2016 we have distributed over 9.7 million pounds of food. By comparison, at the end of 2015 we had distributed 8.2million pounds. Comparing October 2016 to October 2015, we are showing a 32% increase in distribution. There are several groups responsible for this growth. First, I want to thank our donors who have provided the product we distribute. I want to thank the agencies who take the product and pass it along to the hunger insecure in our area. Finally, I want to thank the warehouse team and drivers who work tirelessly to get this product in and out of our warehouse all the while taking care to insure food quality and integrity.

In closing, I want to wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving. Hopefully you will have the opportunity to gather with family and celebrate each other. I appreciate each and every one of you for what you do to help address hunger insecurity. Because of you, someone will eat today.