Food distribution event taking place at Park Plaza Mall

LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Recovery efforts have been underway in Little Rock after one of the biggest tornadoes to hit the area in years devastated many residential zones.

On April 6 starting at noon, a mobile food distribution center will be set up at the Park Plaza Mall located at 6000 W Markham St. to provide food to those heavily impacted by the tornado.

Power outages throughout the city have people throwing out food that has gone bad— not just in homes, but in grocery stores.

Ryan Miller, a manager for the Arkansas Foodbank, said they salvaged food from groceries to give it out for free.

“Right now we plan on giving 2 boxes out to every family that shows up. It's shelf-stable food so we know that powers out right now this is food they can keep as long as they need, as well as produce and that healthy food right now that they can use," explained Miller.

During the mobile food drive, the volunteers will expect to feed over 500 people right here at the Park Plaza Mall. The food is free and registration is not required.

"We are just trying to serve our neighbors in need as much as possible,” said Miller.

The food bank has pulled the community together with volunteers of all ages from all across the country.

“If I was in that situation I would want help too. And there are people out there helping out and volunteering to really bless others and help them with what they are doing," said Gabriel Ortiz, a junior at Ouachita Hills Academy and Arkansas Foodbank volunteer.

Ortiz and other students at his local boarding school have volunteered for the full week following the tornado.

"It's been a joy to me to serve and to give and I've really enjoyed it I'm super glad I'm able to be a part of this,” Ortiz added, 

The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance will also be there to provide information and application assistance for disaster 'SNAP' resources.

If you plan to show up. you'll need to enter the west parking lot behind U.S. Bank.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit the Arkansas Foodbank website here.