FOOD FOR THOUGHT August 2026

The Listening Room in Nashville is one of my favorite music venues in the country.

What makes The Listening Room special is its simplicity. A few songwriters sit onstage with only their acoustic guitars, taking turns playing songs they have written. Some are famous songs recorded by artists like George Strait or Dierks Bentley. Others are brand new, still waiting to find their way into the world.

Before each song, the writer shares the story behind it. You understand what they were feeling when they wrote it, and suddenly, you hear the song differently.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I visited The Listening Room with our best friends. One of the performers, Carson Beyer, told us about a woman who approached him after a show to share how much one of his songs meant to her. He had been questioning whether it was time to hang it up and try something else. Then someone reminded him why he kept going.

“That’s why we do this,” he said. “To connect.”

Then he added, “It matters to somebody.”

That got me.

We can all feel like we are just spinning our wheels. Going through the motions. Meeting after meeting. Word after word. We wonder: Does this little bit really help? Does anybody really care?

Here is what I will say: It all matters to somebody.

At the Food Bank, it is easy to talk about our work in big numbers. Pounds distributed. Meals provided. Families served. But behind every number is one person helping another person. Even if it is only a small amount. Even if we never know their name or hear their story.

Just as that woman approached Carson after a performance, we hear stories about how the work happening here makes a difference in someone’s life. For a neighbor experiencing hunger, it can be difficult to think about the future. Sometimes, all you can think about is right now. The next meal. The next day. The next decision.

When we help, we meet someone in that moment. Often, it is an urgent moment. What may feel like a small act to us can mean everything to the person receiving it.

So, I ask you to never underestimate the power of giving. Whether it is a transformational gift or simply the dollar you have in your pocket, it matters.

It matters because it connects us.

It matters because someone needs it.

It matters to somebody.

-Taylor

For Rosa, Pantry to Plate was an opportunity to spend meaningful time with her sister, connect with others in the community, and build confidence in the kitchen.

Pantry to Plate is a free, six-week class taught in the Teaching Kitchen at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank by Becky, Nutrition Education Coordinator. Each week, participants follow a guided recipe, practice cooking skills, and learn helpful tips to incorporate nutrition.

Rosa first learned about Pantry to Plate through social media and signed up with her sister, Laura.

"I was really looking to provide a social outing for my sister, Laura, and also learn how to do more in the kitchen," Rosa said.

Laura, a young adult with an intellectual disability, found comfort in the welcoming environment.

"It was very calm for her, and she really enjoyed it," Rosa shared.

Throughout each class, Rosa gained practical cooking techniques and nutrition tips that she could apply at home.

"They were little pointers that were helpful for me, but also things I could teach my sister."

Each class featured a new recipe, but one became a favorite for Rosa and Laura.

"I really liked the Saucy Beans and Greens recipe," Rosa said. "We loved it so much that we went home and made it within two days. It was delicious and an easy meal for my sister and me to make together. I'm always looking for simple meals that don't require a lot of chopping or too much time."

Beyond the recipes, Rosa appreciated the interactive learning, nutrition education, and connections she made in the class.

"It's been very hands-on," she shared. "We met another participant, Karen, who was very willing to work with Laura and me.”

“During the last 30 minutes of class, while we're eating our dish, Becky talks about the nutritional value of the recipe and shares tips on how to stay on budget when grocery shopping. She breaks down what each meal costs, which is really helpful because I don't usually think about that when I shop."

Rosa also shared how welcoming the class was.

"From my experience, everyone was really friendly and open to working with you," she said. "We didn't know anyone coming into the class, and it was just really pleasant to work with everyone."

Registration is required for Pantry to Plate classes. For more information or to be notified about future class openings, contact Becky at Becky.miller@nwafoodbank.org.

Food insecurity affects people from all walks of life, including students here in Northwest Arkansas. Between full course loads, work schedules, and the rising cost of living, many students struggle to afford basic necessities like food.

Students facing hunger can find support through the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, located on the University of Arkansas campus.

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, one of nearly 80 agency partners.

The pantry is operated by students, including a student leadership board and a dedicated team of volunteers.

"We have about 80 volunteers each week," said Eliana, Food Drives Coordinator.

Students can pick up orders twice per week, with each order intended to provide three days' worth of groceries. Orders are placed through PantrySoft, the pantry’s inventory management system. Students select the items they want, place their order, and a volunteer prepares the order for pickup.

"We often see people only picking up once a week because their pickups last longer than three days," said Alexis, Volunteer Coordinator.

The pantry strives to provide more than shelf-stable foods. Thanks to a large donated freezer, they now offer more frozen proteins and vegetables, items highly requested by students.

"Everyone wants fresh or frozen products when they can," said Eliana, Food Drives Coordinator. "We're now able to offer a lot more protein and frozen vegetables, and it's really popular with our clients."

In addition to food, the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry supplies toiletries, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items.

A community garden is located outside the main pantry and is open to the community. Extra produce from the garden is made available for pickup through their ordering system.

For students who cannot visit the pantry during operating hours, the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry has implemented a system to make food available to all students. In addition to their main pantry location, the pantry offers five satellite pickup

sites across campus.

"If you can't come to the pantry during our open hours, or you physically cannot come here, we have satellite locations across the University of Arkansas," said Drew, Mobile Food Coordinator Volunteer. "It works the same as any other order - you place an order,

select one of the five locations, and get to pick the same amount of items."

By providing reliable food, household essentials, and convenient pick-up options, the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry helps ensure students can focus on their education without worrying about where their next meal will come from.

The Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry is located at 324 Stadium Drive. The only requirement to pick up food is a University of Arkansas or UAMS ID. For more information, visit service.uark.edu/services/pantry/ or call 479-575-7693.