By Emma Bracken

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many of us are preparing for a holiday season full of family gatherings and warm meals. We look forward to indulging in our favorite holiday classics and gathering around a feast of comfort foods. For many others in our community, however, the holidays only bring an influx of stress. 

“As is the case in many places across the country and around the world, food insecurity is a prevalent issue here in Northwest Arkansas,” Reverend Joshua Bland of Springdale First Methodist Church said.  “Access to food and the rising costs of both food and living create challenges for families in our community.”

In the Northwest Arkansas area, food insecurity plagues around 89,000 people according to the NWA Food Bank. As our community grows, the numbers of food-insecure residents follow suit. As defined by Feeding America, food insecurity is when people do not have enough to eat and are not sure where their next meal will come from. During the holidays, this problem is only exacerbated as so many of our traditions and connections to family and friends are centered around food. 

Hunter Engel, programs coordinator at NWA Food Bank, explained the urgent need for food banks and pantries to address this growing problem in our area.

“Arkansas is the No. 1 food-insecure state out of all 50 states,” Engel said. “Picture the U of A stadium completely packed with people; that is how many food insecure people we have in NWA.”

As the biggest food bank in the area, NWA Food Bank serves as a hub for food resources and works with over 100 partner agencies including local food pantries. Engel works with other organizations such as Feed Rogers and Feed the 479 to connect with clients and make sure they are able to put food on the table. As a staff of only 48 people, the food bank depends on the service of volunteers to keep the place running. 

“Last year, we had over 18,000 hours of volunteer time, and that equals out to having about nine to 10 more full-time staff members every day,” Engel said. “They help the organization run. We literally couldn’t do it without them.” 

Though food insecurity continues to be a problem in our community every day, it is the work of these organizations and their volunteers that is making a difference daily. For those looking either for food resources or to lend their time to volunteer work, there are so many different places to turn to. 

Even the University of Arkansas runs its own food pantry, which serves both students and staff every day. Full Circle Food Pantry focuses on fighting hunger on campus and is a necessary resource for many students. Full Circle is also a great opportunity for students looking to get involved in the community and lend a hand where it is needed during the coming holiday season. 

“When I first got involved, I was surprised by the number of clients we see on a daily basis,” said Madeline Crisp, the Full Circle Volunteer Coordinator. “After working with clients, I could really see the need for it within our community.”

Crisp explained that those who are not seeking out these resources for themselves may have no idea that they exist and that the demand is high. Therefore it is equally as important to spread awareness about the issue of food insecurity and make it known to people where they can either volunteer or donate. 

“It’s always really gratifying to be able to serve them and volunteer your time if you are able to, either at the NWA food bank or, if you’re a student, volunteer with us,” Crisp said. 

As well as educational institutions, churches and religious organizations are also one of the most vital and productive groups in our community who are fighting food insecurity. Springdale First Methodist Church runs a ministry called Bread of Life, which is both a food pantry and a USDA warehouse and distribution center for Washington County. This means it supplies necessary resources beyond food, such as toiletries and diapers. 

“The needs of our community are always changing,” Bland said. “We need to listen attentively and compassionately to our neighbors to better understand what they are experiencing and what wisdom and insights they bring to solving these issues in our community.”

Bread of Life works tirelessly to provide resources as well as a safe space where people always feel welcome in times of crisis. For Bland, it is in the building of relationships through programs such as this that embody hope and point toward a stronger, healthier community. 

“I have the joy of sharing life with our neighbors,” Bland said. “I know that I am standing with them on holy ground each time they invite me into their story and circumstances.”

Getting involved in the fight against food insecurity in Northwest Arkansas is essential to supporting our growing community, and there are plenty of ways to get involved. If volunteering doesn’t fit into your schedule, all of these pantries and even the warehouse at NWA Food Bank accept food donations. As we enter the season of giving, it is important to remember the privilege of knowing where our next meal is coming from as well as finding ways to make sure our neighbors can have the same. 

For most of these pantries, you can just show up to offer your donation or service. NWA Food Bank has no qualifications for volunteers besides an age requirement of 13 and up. Bread of Life is open for volunteer service from Tuesday through Thursday each week. As a campus organization, Full Circle does require applications each semester for volunteer staff. Applications to be a volunteer next semester through Full Circle open in November and can be found here through the VAC volunteer actions page.