Client-Choice Food Pantry & Summer Program
Kids, parents, teachers and really everyone looks forward to Summer – taking a swim at the local pool, heading to camp, enjoying some time off, and simply changing up the routine. And while Summer is often a highlight, it can also be a challenge for families and kids who are short on food.
To help meet the needs of our community, The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas has partnered with Fayetteville Public Schools (FPS) to identify and provide meals for kids who are home during the summer months. Our new client-choice Food Pantry in Fayetteville will officially open Friday, June 1 at 9 am. FPS families, who signed up through the school district, will have the opportunity to “shop” the pantry every Friday for 11 weeks at no cost.
This is the first client-choice Food Pantry for The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas and it offers a whole new way to think about food insecurity. “We are excited to begin providing food for families in this way. Often families are given a box of food but the items inside may not fit their needs in the best way,” said Captain Josh Robinett, NWA Area Commander. “By opening a client-choice food pantry we are giving families dignity and caring for their needs on a more individualized basis. This helps us love and care for the people of our community even more.”
The Salvation Army Client-Choice Food Pantry will be open every Friday, June 1 through August 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The pantry will be housed in our Activity Center building located at 219 W 15th street, Fayetteville, AR. Each week the pantry will be stocked with food options that kids and families can easily prepare for breakfast and lunch. Additionally, this pantry will provide for Washington County clients throughout the week by appointment.
This project would not be possible without support from the Walmart Foundation, the NWA Food Bank, The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Fayetteville Public Schools, and many volunteers. Together, we have been able to develop a summer program that will meet the needs of hungry families in our community. During the past three months, our team has worked to create this new shopping space. The project has included a complete remodel of our warehouse, the installation and addition of refrigeration coolers, lighting and shelving, plus the addition of many new food products – which will be added throughout the summer.
As we begin this new program, we are looking for volunteers to help stock the pantry and serve as shopping assistants each Friday.
If you’d like to help in this way, please sign up for a shift here, or give us a call. If you would like to donate funds for our summer pantry program, text NWAFOOD to 41444 or click here.
For more questions, please contact us at 479-521-2151 x 103, email jennifer.brown@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Help Provide Ice
Every day of the year we serve an evening meal and recently our ice machine broke – beyond repair. This means we’re in the process of purchasing a new machine that can help people stay cool and hydrated. This ice machine is used daily for breakfast, lunches, dinner, snacks and special events and activities at our Fayetteville location. We’re hoping to have 10o people give $28 to help over the cost of a new machine!
Click here to make a donation or text NWAICE to the number 91999.
Also this summer we will be handing out free fans to our community. We currently have 5o fans on hand to provide to people in need. If you’d like to also donate to $10 for the purchase of a fan for families. You can do this the same way.
Learn more about our shelters here.
Volunteer
Whether you are an individual or a group, we can find the perfect spot for you to volunteer with the Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas. Find a list of opportunities here.
For questions, ideas, details and group project request, please contact our NWA Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Brown at 479.521.2151 ext.103 or by email: jennifer.brown@uss.salvationarmy.org
Providing Hope & Healing Through Recovery
The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas’ Rehabilitation program offers men an opportunity to rebuild, recover, and refocus their lives. By making Christ the center of their lives and everyday decisions, individuals find a path
of hope and healing. After a six-month process men are prepared to reenter society free of alcohol and drug dependence.
“At the age of 19 I was a drug addict facing 15 years in prison but given the option to be part of Salvation Army Recovery Program. While in recovery I found God and hope for my life. There’s a different man here today and I love who I have become.” — James, 2017 Graduate
Program Requirements
This program is open to men who are in need of recovery and have a desire to change.
There is no cost* for this 6-month program.
• Complete ARC Application
• Provide Photo I.D.
• Take a TB test ($15)
• Substance Free Living Commitment
• Living on-site for 6 months
• No overnight stays for first 90 days
• Attend classes, therapy and worship
• Work for the Salvation Army
• Program is currently open to men ages 18 – 65.
If you would like to know more about this program, please contact Greg Chambers at 479-521-2151.
A Happy Heart & Home
“I am back on my feet now, February 2018” were the opening lines of a Valentine’s Day card we received at the Salvation Army offices just a few days before the holiday. Our hearts filled with joy seeing these words from a woman who spent time at the Salvation Army shelter during the summer of 2017. “I so appreciate your wonderful staff and ministry. You gave me shelter, food and encouragement when I was homeless for eight days in July. You were a God-send,” our guest shared.
It is moments like these that remind us of the why behind what we do. By providing a shelter bed, a warm meal, and encouragement to people in immediate need, we can be a resource and a place to where people discovery hope. This guest is just one of many during the past year who have been able to move from emergency shelter to a permanent home. During 2017, in Fayetteville alone, we were able to help 183 people find housing.
This Valentine’s Day as you sit down to enjoy an evening meal, we hope you will take a moment to think about and pray for people who might be waiting for a place to call home. Today our hearts are full as we continue to see the hope that our emergency shelters can provide.
Providing Shelter in Every Season
In times of need and cold weather, let us help. The Salvation Army of NWA has two shelters – one in Bentonville and one in Fayetteville. Our Emergency Shelters are open 365 days a year (no matter the weather) providing a place for men, women and families in the evenings. We have beds for 46 people in Bentonville and 26 in Fayetteville. Whenever the weather drops below 34 degrees, we also open warming centers (all day) and cold-weather night shelters. These provide places for people to stay warm, rest, and eat a meal. During times of cold-weather if our shelter beds are full, we create overflow indoor space and provide cots and blankets to those in need. Our shelter areas are monitored and divided by men, women and families for safety. If you know of a need, please contact either of our shelters. Bentonville: 479-271-9545 or Fayetteville: 479-521-0857. Learn more about our shelters online. http://salvationarmyaok.org/nwarkansas/our-shelters/
Red Kettle Wrap Up
RED KETTLE WRAP UP FOR 2017
JANUARY 5, 2018
For the 2017 giving season, The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas raised $361,829 as part of its annual Red Kettle campaign. Donations collected at Kettle locations in Northwest Arkansas equaled $352,161 with an additional $9,668 coming in through online gifts for this campaign. We concluded our Kettle season at 86.1% of our goal of $420,000.
“We want to thank each community in Northwest Arkansas for their generosity this year. As the kettle season came to an end, we asked for your continued support and many people stepped up to help make a difference. Your financial support will allow us to continue to provide for people when they need it most. This means providing shelter from the cold, food for the hungry, clothing and utility assistance for families, and hope for men seeking to break free from the bondage of addiction. We enter 2018 with much anticipation as we look for new ways to meet the needs of people here in Northwest Arkansas,” said Captain Joshua Robinett, Area Commander, Northwest Arkansas
Not only did people give generously this season as part of our Red Kettle campaign by many companies, churches, groups and families gave their time as bell ringers to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who joined us this Christmas season.
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