Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Foodbank is asking people across central Arkansas to spend part of their Saturday helping children who may not have enough food at home when school is out.
The organization will host its September Pack-a-thon on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at 4301 W. 65th St. in Little Rock. The half-day volunteer event is part of Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort held each September to raise awareness about hunger and encourage people to get involved in their communities.
During the event, volunteers will work together to prepare meal packs for children experiencing food insecurity. The packs are distributed through the Arkansas Foodbank’s Backpack Program, which provides food for children to take home for weekends when they may not have access to school meals.
Each backpack contains four meals, four snacks and drinks. The food provided through each pack supplies roughly 60% of a child’s nutritional needs, according to the Foodbank.
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The Pack-a-thon is held twice a year and gives volunteers an opportunity to play a direct role in preparing those resources. Rather than simply collecting donations, participants spend the event assembling the meal packs that will eventually reach children and their families.
“Every backpack packed represents an opportunity to make sure a child has nutritious food available when they need it,” said Nick Starnes, Director of Development & Planned Giving for Arkansas Foodbank. “This is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when our community comes together.”
Organizers are encouraging a wide range of groups to participate. Individuals and families can volunteer, while businesses, civic organizations, churches and schools are also invited to take part.
The September event is being supported by several sponsors. Renaissance Homes is serving as the Presenting Sponsor, while C. Smith Holdings is the Meal Maker Sponsor and McLarty Auto is the Backpack Buddy Sponsor.
For the Arkansas Foodbank, the event is also an opportunity to turn the message of Hunger Action Month into something practical. Volunteers will be helping provide food to children during a period when regular school meals are not available.
The Pack-a-thon is scheduled to last three hours, making it a relatively short commitment for those who want to contribute. Organizers say the work can make a meaningful difference for children facing food insecurity.
People interested in participating can register to volunteer through the Arkansas Foodbank’s volunteer program. The event will take place at the Foodbank’s location on W. 65th Street in Little Rock on Sept. 12.
