Little Rock, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Friday that she is directing $500,000 to six food bank networks across Arkansas and will be considering additional allocations on a weekly basis should the government shutdown continue.
The HelpArkansas.com page on the governor’s website will direct Arkansans to food assistance resources throughout the state, Sanders said in a news release. The page will be updated as the shutdown continues. It also includes resources for those looking to volunteer or donate.
Additionally, Sanders is encouraging food banks to purchase Arkansas-grown and manufactured goods.
The following six food banks will receive equal portions of the funds:
- Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas at Jonesboro
- Northwest Arkansas Food Bank at Springdale
- Food Bank of North Central Arkansas at Norfork
- River Valley Regional Food Bank at Fort Smith
- Arkansas Foodbank at Little Rock
- Arkansas Foodbank Lexa Branch
- Arkansas Foodbank Warren Branch
- Harvest Regional Food Bank at Texarkana
According to the news release, emergency action from the chairs of the Arkansas Legislative Council directed the $500,000 from Restricted Reserve funds, which will go out to those six food banks starting Monday, Nov. 3.
“What Senate Democrats are doing is unconscionable, playing political games with the food assistance that nearly a quarter million Arkansans rely on,” Sanders said in the news release. “The simplest, fastest solution remains for Democrats to reopen the government and fund programs like SNAP, but in the meantime, my administration will work with our legislators, churches, and food banks to help feed Arkansans.”
Arkansas’ SNAP program serves nearly a quarter million beneficiaries at more than 2,700 retail locations, the release said. Because of the shutdown, the program will no longer receive funding beginning Nov. 1.
Arkansans impacted by this are encouraged to visit HelpArkansas.com to find a nearby food bank and monitor guidance updates from Arkansas’ Department of Human Services, which oversees the state’s SNAP program.
Click here to find a food bank close to you in Northeast Arkansas.
