Bread of Life Food Pantry assists hundreds in Poinsett County

As of the first of October, 529 families have been served by the Bread of Life Food Pantry of Harrisburg.

Beth Hervey, the pantry program coordinator, spoke to members of the Trumann Rotary Club Thursday regarding the pantry.

Hervey said, once per month, Poinsett County families in need of food may visit the Bread of Life Food Pantry to receive food. The pantry is open from 10 a.m. through noon on Tuesday and Thursday. The amount of food given is based on household size and is usually designed to feed the family for three days.

"The only requirement is that you say you need food," she said.

As of Oct. 1, the pantry had given 65,000 pounds of food away. About 17,694 pounds of food were given away in 2007, which was their first year of operation. About 44,565 pounds of food were given away in 2008.

Hervey said a majority of the food they give out is from the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. She said at the Food Bank of NEA, $10 can purchase over 60 pounds of meat. She said the Arkansas Rice Depot send a supply of food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food from the USDA could include whole turkeys, chicken breasts or boxed milk that should be refrigerated after opening.

She said they receive probably $1,000 worth of food from the USDA.

The Arkansas Rice Depot also does the backpack program for children. Hervey said they have sent 24,000 backpacks full of food home to children across Northeast Arkansas. Hervey said that 11,000 of those backpacks went home to children who complained of being hungry. Several had physical or emotional problems as well.

"Those who were able to take advantage of the backpack program reported great improvements in school," Hervey explained.

A majority of the families served come from Harrisburg. She said 315 families from Harrisburg have been served, 54 families from Trumann, 21 families from Lepanto, 14 from Marked Tree and ten from Weiner.

Hervey said families may come in once or twice, but those who have come in numerous times are in "real need."

Hervey said the pantry is always looking for volunteers. She said it takes about 12 people to work on Tuesday and Thursday to meet the needs of those who come in. She said church members from about five different religious denominations assist along with students in Harrisburg High School's EAST Lab.

"Nothing matters because our number one goal is to give food to hungry people," she said. "We have so much fun up there. It really shouldn't be legal."

Hervey added that the pantry can serve as a referral service as well. She stated that they have given literature to those who want to stop smoking as well as the patch to assist.

She said they can also help with utility or mortgage assistance. Hervey said if someone comes in and they are able to provide proof that they recently lost their job, they can assist with their utility bill for up to $300 a month.

Hervey said they will soon apply for grant funding that would help the pantry purchase a large storage freezer.

Those who would like to assist the Bread of Life Food Pantry may send donations to P.O. Box 414, Harrisburg, 72432. Their physical address is at 204 S. Main in Harrisburg.