Gratitude has a way of sharpening focus. Lately, I find myself full of gratitude. I feel it
each morning as I walk into the Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief. I am
grateful for a community that shows up again and again, for a dedicated and hardworking staff, and the opportunity to lead and grow an organization that plays such a vital role in the health and well-being of our region. I am also deeply grateful for Kent’s leadership and mentorship, and for the strong foundation he built during his time at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. I was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, and this community is home in every sense of the word. My wife, Jill, and I are raising our three daughters here, which only deepens my commitment to ensuring our region is a place where every family has the opportunity to thrive. As I step into this role, my hope is simple and unwavering: that together, we build a food bank that is strong enough, trusted enough, and prepared enough to meet the growing need in our community with dignity and resolve.
As we enter a new year, our direction is set. We are advancing the 2030 Strategic Plan with intention and urgency. Our vision for this work centers on reliable access to food, strong partnerships across all four counties, and operational excellence so we can meet immediate needs while building long-term resilience. The 95,000 neighbors we serve are counting on us, and that responsibility guides every decision we make.
Anyone who has experienced true hunger knows how consuming it can be. That constant, painful, empty feeling leaves little room for anything else. It makes it hard for a child to focus in school, for an adult to stay clear-headed at work, or for a senior to be fully present in daily life. Your support of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank does far more than provide a meal. Food restores focus. It creates stability. It gives people the chance to learn, work, and live with dignity. Food is the foundation. This work is urgent, and you are essential to its success. Thank you for standing with us and for your continued commitment to feeding Northwest Arkansas.
Taylor Speegle
President/CEO
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
