FOOD FOR THOUGHT May 2026

Summer is almost here. You can feel it.

For kids across Northwest Arkansas, it means longer days, time with friends, swimming, popsicles, and a break from the routine. Many of us remember that feeling. Summer carried a sense of freedom and possibility.

But for many families, summer also brings real pressure.

During the school year, thousands of children rely on breakfast and lunch at school. When school is out, those meals don’t just disappear. They shift back to the home. At the same time, costs go up. Schedules get harder. Parents are juggling work, childcare, and summer camps that don’t always line up.

I feel some of that in my own home with my three kiddos. It takes planning and coordination. It takes resources. And even then, it can be stressful.

Now imagine families already stretched thin. Families doing their very best, but still need a little help.

That’s why this season matters so much.

At the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, summer is a time when the need increases and the margin for error gets smaller. We have to raise more. We have to move more food. And we have to make sure families know where to turn when they need support.

A donation this time of year fills the gap that summer break creates. You help make sure a child starts their day with breakfast. You help a parent breathe a little easier.

One easy way to get involved: The second annual KNWA Cereal Drive kicks off this month. Our goal is to collect and distribute more than 150,000 units of breakfast items for families across our region.

This month also brings the official launch of Market on the Move. If you see our new truck around town, that’s it in action. It’s designed to bring food directly into areas that don’t have easy access. This is what it looks like to meet people where they are.

Thank you for being part of this work. Your support matters. It shows up in real ways for real families every day.

We believe food is the foundation. And together, we can make sure every child has the kind of summer they deserve.

Taylor

Being retired, Angel and Maria understand the challenges of living on a fixed income. Thanks to Feed Rogers, they no longer have to wonder where their next meal will come from.

Feed Rogers is a free neighbor-choice pantry that allows neighbors to select their own food, rather than receiving a pre-packed box of groceries.

After their neighbor invited them to Feed Rogers, Angel and Maria appreciated being able to select their own groceries, choosing only the items they would use and knowing nothing would be wasted.

“I hate getting a box of stuff and knowing that I’ve got to find a home for it because I can’t eat it,” said Angel. When [other pantries] hand us boxes of stuff that we can’t eat, we try to distribute it to somewhere else, but we don’t have to worry about that here. This place is the best one to come to. I love it.”

Feed Rogers allows one visit monthly and is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 479-408-4393.

Angel and Maria also shared how efficient Feed Rogers is, and how willing the staff and volunteers are while they shop.

“The staff is so friendly. It’s so neat, so organized, and so helpful. We are blessed to have this,” said Maria.

Feed Rogers is located at the intersection of 13th and W. Poplar in Rogers. It is staffed and operated by the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and is open four days a week for people to shop.

To make a one-time donation to support individuals like Angel and Maria, visit

https://nwafoodbank.givecloud.co/donatetoday..

Located in Garfield, Arkansas, God’s Pantry distributes food to neighbors every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to God’s Pantry, one of 90+ agency partners across the region.

God’s Pantry values neighbor choice. Through their online ordering system, neighbors can select the items they need, ensuring they take home food they will eat.

“That’s really all we care about. The food we give away - as long as someone uses it, that’s what we want,” said Bill, Lead Volunteer at God’s Pantry.

When you arrive, a volunteer will check you in, confirm your order, and give you a pager so you can wait in your vehicle. A volunteer then shops for the items selected from your order and pages you when complete. When your pager rings, you are asked to pull forward to the

designated pick-up spot, where a volunteer will meet you with your bagged groceries.

If you did not order online, you can go inside to fill out a paper order list and follow the same pick-up process.

God’s Pantry welcomes all to their pantry and is staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to fighting hunger in the community.

“We have a great set of volunteers and there’s a lot of camaraderie,” said Bill.

When a volunteer noticed a neighbor waiting in their car with their dog, she decided to bring dog treats the next week. Witnessing how this thoughtful gesture meant so much to the neighbor, she decided to make it a routine. Now, she consistently brings dog treats to share with neighbors who stop by with their dogs.

Other items frequently available at God’s Pantry include dog food, diapers, and hygiene products.

God’s Pantry is located at 17938 Dennis Mitchell Rd. in Garfield, Arkansas. They can be reached at (479) 345-8140 or by emailing Godspantrygarfield@gmail.com.