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In Drew County, 156 residents received a box of non-perishable food items from the Commodities Supplemental Food Program until this month. With funding from the CSFP, the Arkansas Foodbank provided this box of food to eligible individuals, primarily those age 60 and older who meet income requirements. These boxes of food were distributed to the eligible recipients at a local church by various volunteer groups.
As of October, that church is no longer able to accommodate this project. By the time volunteers were made aware of the necessary processes for relocating the box distribution, the United States government had shut down, and no further paperwork has been processed at this time.
One Drew County resident was made aware of the situation and decided to take action.
“As a volunteer for the last two and a half years, I have prayed with these people, I have hugged these people, I’ve heard their stories, they’ve prayed for me, we’ve had genuine interactions with each other, Amanda Killingsworth said. “I have been there building relationships with these people once a month, every month for the last two and a half years.”
At 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, Killingsworth posted to Facebook with a call to action.
“We currently have 156 elderly and/or disabled residents in Drew County who, until this month, received a monthly box of groceries through a program that’s now on hold. Other food assistance resources are also at risk.
It is my prayer that we can come together as a community to make sure these neighbors continue to have food on their tables. I’m working on creating a list of the items they normally receive each month, calculating the cost, and organizing donations.
Our plan is to box groceries and deliver them to specific locations, with a pickup option for others who are able.
If you’d like to help—whether by donating, packing, or delivering—please comment below or send me a private message. Every bit of help makes a difference. #pleaseshare
$60 a person/ box! Who wants to sponsor a neighbor?! Before I collect any money from anyone, I want to make sure we reach our goal. Once that has happened, I will contact you for your donation. Please be specific on how many boxes you would like to sponsor. I need the amount to know when we have reached our goal! Thank you in advance.”
Her post received 82 shares, 73 interactions, and 140 comments from people pledging to sponsor boxes.
Donations can be dropped off at the Advance office, 314 N Main St., or contact Amanda Killingsworth for alternative options. After the pledges have been collected, volunteers will purchase, sort, and pack the grocery items.
“It is my goal to create a separate bag, within each box, that will be a Thanksgiving meal in a bag,” Killingsworth added. “We’ll try to include box stuffing, dry potatoes, yams, and maybe a pie if possible.”
As of the press deadline, $11,583 has been collected from two businesses, two groups, one church, and over 60 individuals. There are 94 individuals remaining who have made pledges and have not delivered their donations. If you made a pledge to sponsor boxes, please make your donation before 5 p.m. Thursday, November 6
