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Second Baptist Church Food Pantry (2BC Food Pantry) has received a combined $45,000 in grant funding and food credits through Arkansas Foodbank, a member of the national Feeding America network, marking another significant milestone in the pantry's mission to fight hunger and improve food access throughout Drew County.
The awards include a $30,000 capacity-building grant to strengthen the pantry's operations and infrastructure and an additional $15,000 in food credits to help provide nutritious food to local individuals and families.
For a ministry that began serving the community in April 2026, the investment represents an important step toward building a sustainable hunger-relief program for Drew County residents.
"This is so much more than a financial award. It is an investment in our neighbors, our community, and the belief that no family should have to worry about where their next meal will come from," said Adena Handly, Director of the 2BC Food Pantry. "When we opened our doors, we knew there was a need, but the response has shown us just how many families are struggling. We are incredibly grateful to Arkansas Foodbank and Feeding America for recognizing the work being done here in Drew County and helping us build something that will serve our neighbors for years to come."
Located at 1032 Old Warren Road in Monticello, the pantry operates a client-choice food distribution program, allowing eligible Drew County residents to select food that meets their household's needs rather than receiving a predetermined box of groceries. The model promotes dignity, reduces food waste, and gives families greater flexibility in preparing meals.
In just its first several months of operation, the pantry recorded more than 175,000 pounds of rescued and donated food, 4,417 individual service visits, and 2,236 household service visits. Volunteers also contributed nearly 3,000 hours of service, representing an estimated value of more than $89,000.
The pantry's success has been made possible through a growing network of dedicated volunteers, local businesses, community supporters, and its partnership with Arkansas Foodbank.
The $30,000 grant will help expand the pantry's operational capacity through improvements in equipment, food handling, storage, and distribution infrastructure. These investments will support the safe recovery and distribution of food while allowing the organization to respond more efficiently to increasing community needs.
The additional $15,000 in food credits will strengthen the pantry's ability to provide essential grocery items, helping supplement donated food and improve the variety of products available to participating households.
Beyond food distribution, 2BC Food Pantry has embraced the philosophy that "Food is Medicine." Through partnerships with organizations such as Baptist Health, the pantry has also helped connect residents with free health screenings, wellness education, and other community resources.
Handly emphasized that the grants are also a reflection of the volunteers and community partners who have helped transform the ministry into a growing resource for Drew County.
"These awards belong to every volunteer who has unloaded a truck, stocked a shelf, rescued food, assisted a neighbor, or worked behind the scenes to keep this ministry moving forward," Handly said. "We are building more than a food pantry. We are building a place where people are treated with dignity, where partnerships make a difference, and where our community comes together to take care of one another."
Arkansas Foodbank works with hundreds of community partners across 33 Arkansas counties, providing food, resources, training, and capacity-building opportunities to strengthen local hunger-relief efforts. As part of the Feeding America network, the organization helps connect national resources with community-based food assistance programs.
For Second Baptist Church, the new funding reinforces a long-term commitment to serving Drew County and developing partnerships that address both immediate food needs and broader challenges facing local families.
"Our work is far from finished," Handly added. "Every day we see the difference that a bag of groceries, a kind word, or a helping hand can make. We are thankful for this opportunity, and we intend to make every dollar count for the neighbors who depend on us."
The 2BC Food Pantry serves Drew County residents through scheduled client-choice appointments.
For more information, to volunteer, or to learn how to support the pantry, contact Second Baptist Church Food Pantry at 870-367-2459 or 2SBCFoodPantry@gmail.com.
"Together, we're fighting hunger one neighbor at a time."
