We are entering the season of thankfulness, a special time every year when we acknowledge our blessings and give thanks to our Provider. Many of us will gather with our loved ones next week to celebrate Thanksgiving, likely sharing a meal and offering gratitude for our abundance.

Regrettably, there are many Little Rock residents who may not have enough to eat this Thanksgiving, and others who may not live close enough to a grocery store to be able to acquire the fresh fruits and vegetables they’d need to cook a hearty, nutritious meal.

About one in five Arkansas residents are considered to be food insecure, meaning they do not have access to enough food that would allow them to lead healthy lives. About 50 percent of Arkansans have what the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement considers as “low access” to healthy food sources. That lack of access is commonly called a “food desert.”

These are sobering statistics for all of us who are blessed with abundance. It’s incumbent upon us not to stand idle while others are hungry or without access to nutritious food. That’s why I’m working with the City Board to identify how we can eliminate food deserts, and to encourage grocery stores to locate or remain in our underserved areas.

We are directing city money toward improving food security in Little Rock, and we’re fortunate to have City Director Kathy Webb, the CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, to offer her insight and expertise in this effort. The Board in September allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to combat food deserts.  

Earlier this year, I joined other community leaders as Dollar General announced it would bring fresh fruit and produce to 10 stores in our City. While this is a significant step, we are still working to place full-service grocery stores in neighborhoods with the most need.

We are targeting food insecurity specifically through programs and various partnerships with our local food banks and community agencies. One such program is “Be Mighty Little Rock,” which provides free meals to children and teenagers after school hours and on weekends and during the summer.
The Be Mighty program began in 2018 and since that time more than 4.5 million meals have been served in the community.

In addition, during the holiday season, we’re also asking individuals to participate in a food drive sponsored by the City’s Department of Community Programs. From now until Nov. 30, city employees and others can donate nonperishable food items at various locations in the city, including:

City Hall, 500 W. Markham St.
Central Fire Station, 824 Chester St.
Fire Station 6, 1105 E. Roosevelt Road
Fire Station 7, 4101 W. Markham St.
Fire Station 11, 5300 S. University St.
Fire Station 14, 8121 Colonel Glenn Road
Fire Station 15, 8915 Kanis Road

Donated items from the food drive will go to benefit Immerse Arkansas.   

As we give thanks for our own bounty, I ask you to consider joining us as we try to ensure no Little Rock resident goes hungry this Thanksgiving.
 

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda, click here. 
• Stephens Elementary School, one of six community schools in the Little Rock School District, hosts its November "Community Cafe"  for parents, students and community members on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 4:30 p.m. Stephens Elementary is at 3700 W. 18th St.
• Washington Elementary, 2700 S. Main St., is another community school also hosting its November community cafe on Thursday. It also begins at 4:30 p.m. at the school.