Using peanut butter to fight hunger

Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas feeds the needy with lunch staple

By the Times News Staff

news@theeveningtimes.com

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is proud to announce a generous donation from the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association of 30,240 jars of peanut butter to help feed individuals and families facing hunger throughout Northeast Arkansas. This significant contribution will nourish thousands of people

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in need across the region.

The donation, which comes at a time of increasing demand for food assistance, is a testament to the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association's commitment to supporting local communities and ensuring that nutritious food is available to those who need it most. The peanut butter, which is a rich source of protein and other essential nutrients, will be distributed through the Food Bank's network of 180 partner agencies.

'We are incredibly grateful to the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association for this generous donation,' said Rebecca Hendrix, Chief Development Officer of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. 'Peanut butter is an essential pantry staple that provides both nutrition and energy to families, and this donation will go a long way in helping us meet the growing needs of our neighbors. With the support of organizations like the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association, we are able to continue our mission of improving food access and building a stronger, healthier community.'

“The Arkansas Peanut Grower Association is pleased to make this donation to the people of Northeast Arkansas,” said Allen Donner with the Arkansas Peanut Grower Association. “We are a peanut grower group that uses checkoff funds for research and promotions. It is with great pride that we can give the food bank a product that we have a hand in producing. The growers of Arkansas have the highest-yielding per acre of peanuts in the United States with the majority going into peanut butter. We have a highprotein food source that is grown sustainably, and we are all proud of the opportunity to help the people of our growing area. Especially during this time of weather emergencies, we hope it is helpful to many people in the area.”

This donation is part of a long-standing partnership between the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas and the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association. Over the years, the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association has been instrumental in providing critical food resources to support the Food Bank’s efforts in feeding individuals and families across the region.

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas relies on donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to fulfill its mission of alleviating hunger in the region. The donation of peanut butter will make a meaningful impact on the lives of many, but the need for food assistance continues to grow. The Food Bank encourages those who are able to contribute, whether through monetary donations, food drives, or volunteering, to help in the ongoing fight against hunger.

For more information on how to help or to learn more about the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, please visit www.foodbankofnea.org.

About the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas

The Food Bank works in partnership with more than 180 non-profit partner agencies and programs in 12 counties in Northeast Arkansas. These counties include Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, St. Francis, and Woodruff. The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks, in addition to being a founding member of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. For additional information, please visit our website www.foodbankofnea. org. You can also find the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas on Facebook @FoodBankofNEA and Instagram @foodbankofnea.

About the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association

The association is organized and operated for educational and scientific purposes, to bring together, for cooperation and coordination, all persons, both public and private, interested in enhancing the production, marketing, distribution, and utilization of peanuts.