United Way of North Central Arkansas and its partners recently conducted the Tackle Hunger Food Drive to help stock the pantries of local organizations providing meals and food items to individuals in the community. The food drive, which ran from Jan. 16 until Feb. 1, was held to benefit the local school backpack programs, which puts food in backpacks of needy children to ensure they have food each weekend, local food pantries, and groups providing hot meals to those in need.
In an effort to encourage community support and maximize donations, United Way turned the food drive into a competition and is calling it The Tackle Hunger Food Drive. The results of the competition are as follows:
1st place: Citizens Bank with a total of 3,095 points
2nd place: First Community Bank with a total of 1,853 points
3rd place: Lyon College with a total of 1,008 points
4th place: Merchants and Planters Bank with a total of 213 points
5th place: White River Medical Center with a total of 201 points
6th place: Southern Bank with a total of 91 points
7th place: Harps Grocery with a total of 86 points
8th Place: Centennial Bank with a total of 71 points
“As cliché as it may sound, there were no losers, only winners with this food drive,” said Kimberly Tucker, the executive director of United Way of North Central Arkansas. “The way this community comes together to support not only the children but everyone in need is truly heartwarming. So many people put forth a lot of time, effort, and resources to help their neighbors in need.”
The Tackle Hunger Food Drive was able to raise items needed for local schools’ backpack programs, food pantries, and organizations providing hot meals to those in need. These items included 191 boxes of pop tarts, 412 jars of peanut butter, 473 boxes of cereal, 209 cans of vegetables, and much, much more.
If you would like more information about the Tackle Hunger Food Drive or would like to compete for the Super Bowl of Caring Trophy, contact the United Way office for more details at 870-793-5991 or info@liveunitednca.org.
Citizens Bank donated the most food products in the United Way of North Central Arkansas’ 2018 Tackle Hunger Food Drive. Showing off some of their donations – and the Champions Trophy – are (from left) Bob Taylor, Ashley Engles and Phil Baldwin; Kimberly Tucker of United Way; and Tracy McClurg, Jill Hilton, Janet Moore and Pam Jones, all of Citizens Bank. / Photo submitted
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