Summer Food Service Programs
When it comes to food security, Arkansas is ranked the second-worst in the country.[1] This means that over 515,000 Arkansans do not have reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. For children in Arkansas, it is worse, with a little over 164,000 kids going hungry.[2]
IS THERE HELP TO FEED MY CHILD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS?
Yes. The Arkansas Foodbank recently announced 11 summer feeding sites available to all children 18 years and younger.[3] The program runs from June 1st to August 9th. Most places will provide breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE ENROLLED IN A PROGRAM TO RECEIVE FOOD?
No. These sites are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and are designed to replace free and reduced-price meals children usually receive at school.
WHAT TYPE OF MEALS ARE PROVIDED?
These are grab-and-go meals that will be provided to all children without charge. The same meals will be served to all children 18 years of age and under, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
WHERE DO I GO TO GET THE MEALS?
Altheimer Public Library
222 S Edline| Altheimer, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served 12–12:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – July 30th
Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God
403 W Scott St | Carlisle, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
June 1st – August 13th
Carlisle Public Library
105 E 5th St | Carlisle, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
June 1st – August 13th
Cleburne Co Library
1009 W Main St | Heber Springs, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – August 13th
Community Park
110 S 1st St| Wabbaseka, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – July 30th
Creekside Trailer Park
179 Quarry Ln | Heber Springs, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – August 13th
Heber Spring Middle School
602 Case St | Heber Springs, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 11:35 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – August 13th
Immanuel Baptist Church
1412 Bobby L Glover Hwy | Carlisle, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Monday – Friday
June 1st – August 13th
Valley Estates
723 N Van Buren | Heber Springs, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 12:10 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – August 13th
Watson Chapel Library
4120 S Camden Rd | Pine Bluff, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m.
Monday – Thursday
June 1st – July 30th
Waves of Prayer
313 College Ave| Elaine, AR
Breakfast & Lunch will be served from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday
June 8th – August 6th
For additional information, visit https://arkansasfoodbank.org/who-we-serve/summer-feeding-sites/
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN?
The Arkansas Foodbank currently has mobile distributions. Their staff and volunteers are careful to maintain social distancing and safe handling of items as they distribute food. They do ask that you remain in your vehicle when going to pick up boxes of food.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THE FOOD BANK IS IN MY AREA FOR MOBILE DISTRIBUTION?
Text “findfood” to 844-381-Food (3663) to find a pantry near you.
Check the Food Bank’s website often because they update it regularly, and new distributions are added weekly- https://arkansasfoodbank.org/who-we-serve/food-mobile-distributions/
References:
[1] https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/Brief_Local%20Impact_10.2020_0.pdf.
[2] https://arkansasfoodbank.org/arkansas-remains-one-worst-states-hunger/#:~:text=Overall%20child%20food%20insecurity%20rate,food%20to%20meet%20their%20needs.
[3] https://arkansasfoodbank.org/arkansas-foodbank-announces-summer-feeding-sites/
AUTHORS: JULIE NORMAN AND TREVOR TOWNSEND, STAFF ATTORNEYs FOR THE CENTER FOR ARKANSAS LEGAL SERVICES