LONOKE, Ark. — Food pantries across central Arkansas are preparing to feed hundreds of local families for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
One food pantry in Lonoke, Family Resource Services, is proving to be a blessing for both the receivers and the givers.
“We have so many families who are working. They're doing everything right. They're going to work, they're raising their families, but at the end of the day, they still need assistance," said Director Tonya Beeler.
Beeler said that their mission every Tuesday on distribution day is to fight hunger and feed hope.
“We have a lot of elderly clients. We have disabled clients. And so, you know, we like to say here, we're all just one event away from needing the food pantry and so we're just glad to be able to be here and help our neighbors," Beeler described.
The pantry is 100% donation-funded and assists families and individuals in the Lonoke School District who need groceries— and as the holidays creep closer, the need is apparent.
“We are expecting to serve over 80 families today, and so normally we serve about 250 families each month, and normally about over 650 individuals. Two-thirds of our population in our school district is on free or reduced lunch, and so they qualify for assistance," Beeler said.
Serving others takes the work and dedication of volunteers and donors and that includes even the youngest within the community.
Retired educator Donna Davis used her math curriculum at the time to teach a greater lesson on having a servant’s heart.
"Back in 2009, I was working on my national board, and we had just finished a unit. It was on unit rates, rates, percentages, and I wanted to create and design a project that would incorporate that," Davis said. "It had the kids' work problems, and they had people sponsor them for each problem, they work correctly. So, those three classes, they actually raised around $1,200. Every class went to Walmart and I had parents come in, they broke into groups and actually found the best value for their money. They had to figure out sales tax as well. And then when they got ready to check out, I gave them actual cash, and they paid for their groceries."
Many of them not only did the shopping but also made a stop by the pantry to sort the merchandise and box it.
“My youngest daughter actually was in that group, and I just retired, and we were talking about things, and she was like, "Do you remember when we got on the bus and went out to Walmart and bought the things for her Resource Center?" So it was just, it's just something that has stuck, is stood out my mind all these years," Davis added.
The tradition has continued at all Lonoke schools and all age groups even 15 years later.
“It was pretty bare in here I mean, they were scrambling. It [food pantry] had just opened that spring, and as far as I know, this was probably one of the first drives that had happened," Davis said. "Just being able to work with kids and see them grow, even the ones that came in and said, I don't like math, and to see them at the end of the year that yes, that they enjoyed math now, and to look around this building to see how much goodness. I mean, it's just it's packed with food now, and hopefully, this message will get out and other people will give and see the need. It's it doesn't cost much to help your neighbor, and we're all in this together.”
As they each look back on the past when the pantry originally opened and they gave away a can of soup and a sleeve of crackers to now, they are thankful for the future of being there when a neighbor needs it.
“This community is the most giving, generous community, and I'm thankful. I've moved around a little bit, and I've lived in different places, but there's just no place like home. And whether you're born and raised here, or whether you're a transplant here, Lonoke will receive you, and Lonoke loves just to have new neighbors, and they love to turn people into a Jackrabbit," Beeler said.
Family Resource Services depends on the community's generous support to provide for those in need.
Anyone interested in supporting their mission can follow Family Resources Services on Facebook for giving opportunities here or donate to their Venmo at @FRSLonoke.