
Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce
Recently, I had the pleasure volunteering with the NWA Food Bank as my first non-profit for the Chamber Champions. When I checked in the front office, Ashley was there to assist me in printing out my name tag.
I was given a quick tour of the warehouse and that is where I met Tom and BJ, two regular volunteers with the Food Bank that work twice a week stocking shelves with food from donors. I knew that is what I wanted to do. I grew up in my family’s grocery store so this is something I am very familiar with.
Tom and BJ showed me where to put the items on the shelf. If a box or bag was torn we would tape it up. No food was to be stocked without a nutrition label, those items were put aside to be disposed.
Together as a team, we probably emptied 8-10 cases of food. The items are usually canned but there were some things that came in bulk or large boxes.
The Agencies that come in to shop has 30 minutes to fill their carts. If a large order has been placed, the warehouse staff will load their vehicles with pallets of food. The food is weighed and priced per pound.

If you are a senior citizen and struggle with food insecurity the Senior Mobile Pantry distributes pantry staples every month in Fayetteville, Bentonville, Elkins and Lowell. NWA leads the state in food insecurity, not knowing where your next meal will come from. Last year the Food Bank distributed 8.2 million pounds of food.
If you would like to volunteer or find out more about the NWA Food Bank, please call (479) 872-8774.