Springdale Police, NWA Food Bank Partner to Help Needy Families
- Tom A. Throne
- Nov 16, 2016
- 2 min read
The Springdale Police Department and the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank are partnering to distribute food boxes to those in need in the Springdale area.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the department received 50 boxes of nonperishable food items from the Food Bank. The pre-packed food boxes will be carried in police vehicles to be distributed to families deemed in need by Springdale Police officers.
“We are excited about the partnership with the Springdale Police Department,” said Kent Eikenberry, President and CEO of the Food Bank. “The police are out and they see the need.”Many times officers are paying for these items out of their own pockets, he added.“We see the need every day,” said Police Chief Mike Smith.
Police Lt. Derek Wright said hunger is a problem in Northwest Arkansas. This is a natural partnership between the department and the food bank. The goal is to use all the resources available to help those in need, he added.
The Food Bank started a similar program with the Rogers Police Department in September. Eikenberry said the program has been a success and Rogers is currently handing out 30-50 boxes a month. He expected the Food Bank will start similar programs with other police departments and also hoped to include the area sheriff’s departments.“The officers are engaged with the process,” he added.
Attached to every box is a list of pantries in the Northwest Arkansas area so families can seek additional assistance. Some of the items in the box include pasta, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, canned goods, tuna helper and cereal.
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank serves more than 150 food pantries and agencies in a four-county area – Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington area.
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