News From The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

FOOD FOR THOUGHT  March 2026

Letter From Our President & CEO – March 10, 2026

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One thing I am learning quickly in this role is that there is no shortage of inspiration.


Every day I hear stories of perseverance, service, and grace. Those stories come from neighbors, from our agency partners, from fellow food banks, and from leaders who are working to make our communities stronger. I am grateful for the chance to witness that kind of commitment up close.


Many of you have likely seen the headlines that Arkansas ranks among the hungriest states in the nation. Those statistics matter, and they remind us how much work remains. But what I also see every day are people who refuse to accept that reality as permanent. Across our state, there are good people stepping forward and choosing to be part of the solution.


A few Fridays ago we gathered with all 88 of our agency partners for our annual Agency Meeting. It was a day full of energy and hope. Our team at the food bank works to coordinate and move food across Northwest Arkansas, but it is our agency partners who meet neighbors face to face and place that food into their hands. Many of those partners are volunteers who give countless hours to this work. They inspire us every day.


During that meeting I made a commitment to visit all 88 partner agencies over the next year. I intend to keep that promise. These organizations are doing remarkable work, and it is our responsibility at the food bank to support them in every way we can.


Last week, Kent and I traveled to Washington, D.C. with the other food banks in Arkansas and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Together we met with members of the Arkansas delegation to share findings from a new study on hunger in our state. The openness and willingness of those leaders to engage in the conversation was encouraging. We are grateful to Senator Boozman and others who are working with us to pursue stronger solutions for Arkansans.


The past month has been a powerful reminder that this work is bigger than any one organization. It is a shared effort across neighbors, partners, volunteers, and leaders who believe our communities can be stronger.


We will continue to share a simple message: Food is the Foundation. Health, opportunity, and stability all begin there.


Thank you for standing with us in this work. Your support makes it possible, and we are truly grateful for you.


Taylor Speegle

President/CEO

Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

Congratulations Club 100 Class of 2025!

This year, we proudly welcomed 39 volunteers into Club 100, an exclusive group of individuals who have each served 100+ hours with Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.


We celebrated this year’s class with a special dinner at Wooden Spoon, a meaningful evening dedicated to honoring their impact and expressing our gratitude.


Their service strengthens every program area across our organization. When volunteers give 100+ hours, the ripple effect is felt in our warehouse, in our agency partners, and ultimately at the tables of families across Northwest Arkansas.


If you’d like to learn more about Club 100 or how to get involved, please reach out to Hunter Jimenez at hunter.jimenez@nwafoodbank.org.

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Neighbor story: Paula

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It’s the second week of Pantry to Plate as Sawyer, Steven and Samuel head back to the kitchen for seconds of their lentil and veggie soup that they just learned how to make.


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.


Paula, their mother, first discovered Pantry to Plate through a local Facebook group for homeschooling moms and decided to see if it’s something she and her three sons would enjoy.


After attending two Pantry to Plate classes last year, they are eager to learn from Becky for a third time.


“We learn so many new things each time we take the class,” Paula says. “She’s great at teaching regardless of what previous knowledge of cooking and nutrition you have.”


Pantry to Plate has not only introduced healthy new recipes to Paula and her sons, but a strong foundation for understanding nutrition.


“My boys and I have learned new recipes, but we’ve also learned so much about nutrition,” Paula says. “They go grocery shopping with me and now know how to read the nutrition labels and ingredients of what we buy…They not only help with meal ideas, but they now want to be a part of cooking it,” she says.


Paula appreciates the hands-on experience Pantry to Plate offers as it has sparked her boys’ interest in healthy eating.


“We’ve made things in Pantry to Plate that they’ve loved, but I know they wouldn’t have if I had just served it to them for dinner. It really makes a difference for them to make their meal from start to finish and understand why what they’re having is good for them.”


Paula wants her children to have a strong foundation for nutrition as they grow older and values how Becky has made the class engaging and fun.


“My kids love coming to the classes and they love Miss Becky.”


Pantry to Plate classes are posted on the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and registration is required.

Agency Spotlight: GRUB

Every Tuesday, First Christian Church in Rogers distributes food to neighbors through their GRUB Food Pantry.


GRUB, an acronym for God Relies Upon Brotherhood, is open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. - noon and is run entirely by volunteers.


Serving the community for twenty years, GRUB Food Pantry began in 2005 by Jack and Sue McConnell.


The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank supplies food to GRUB food pantry, one of 110+ agency partners across the region.


“That’s always been the mission - to provide food for people,” said Rita, Acting Director of GRUB Food Pantry.


As cars arrive, a volunteer places numbered sticky notes on each windshield to keep track of the order of arrival. Another volunteer then goes to each car and uses a walkie-talkie to communicate the name of the person picking up food. Volunteers inside the church stationed at

computers verify the name in their system, then a volunteer delivers the food directly to the neighbor’s vehicle.


First time visitors will need to go inside to provide their ID and enter their name in the system.


“If they do need to come in, we’ll bring them in and have them fill out a paper form. We’ll just talk to them…If they’re nervous, we remind them it’s no big deal. Sometimes, everyone needs a little help. We try to make them feel comfortable,” said Rita.


Rita says GRUB Food Pantry receives diapers donated by a couple from the church and will provide them to parents of young children.


“We like listening to hear what their story is, sometimes you find there’s maybe something extra they need. We will provide diapers if we hear they have a small child.”


GRUB Food Pantry is located at 905 South 13 th Street in Rogers and can be contacted at 479- 636-2230.