Arkansas Volunteers Harvest 40,000 Pounds for Food Banks

When a Little River County farmer offered two acres of corn to Harvest Regional Food Bank, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to make sure every ear reached families in need.

Employees from Southwest Arkansas Electric Co-op joined community members in the fields this week for a two-day harvest expected to yield 40,000 pounds of sweet corn. That's enough to fill an 18-wheeler truck.

"We always are looking for opportunities to come out and be with the community," said Meckeyla Garrett, one of the volunteers who picked corn under the Arkansas sun. The electric co-op team saw the call for help and knew they had to answer.

Kelly Sirons drove from Wake Village, Texas, to lend a hand. "It makes you very thankful with what you have and thankful you can help all these other people in the community with this wonderful, sweet corn," she said while working the rows.

The Ripple Effect

This harvest couldn't come at a better time. Camille Wrinkle, executive director of Harvest Regional Food Bank, explained that summer months typically see a sharp drop in food donations just when families with kids out of school need extra help.

The corn from this single donation will reach far beyond Little River County. Harvest Regional Food Bank distributes food to about 90 pantries across the region, serving both rural communities through mobile pantries and established food banks in larger areas.

Every ear of corn picked by volunteers will help feed someone who might otherwise go hungry. The food bank put out a call for additional volunteers for the second day of harvesting, asking helpers to meet at the rest stop in Foreman at 8 a.m.

One farmer's generosity, amplified by dozens of volunteers giving their time and energy, will feed thousands of families across Arkansas this summer.