Description
In 1982, a few caring Arkansans noticed there were a lot of children, families, and senior citizens going to bed hungry right here in their home state. Many food pantries were struggling for supplies. The cupboard was bare at the shelters. Children were hungry. These people organized and looked for food, and they found rice. Home-grown, nourishing and inexpensive rice. They paid for it out of their own pockets and gave it to anyone in need. Soon word spread about this organization that provided free rice to any group willing to fight hunger in their community, and the Arkansas Rice Depot was born. Within a couple of years, nearly one hundred rice growers from Riceland and Producers mills were donating rice, and the Arkansas Rice Depot became the first nonprofit of its kind in the state.
Today, Arkansas Rice Depot distinguishes itself from other hunger relief programs in Arkansas in three key ways. First, while the industry standard in food banking is to charge membership, delivery, and/or shared maintenance fees to the agencies receiving aide, Arkansas Rice Depot provides all items to partner agencies across the state at zero cost and with no associated fees. By choosing not to charge fees for our service, our partners are able to continue helping families within communities in Arkansas where they might not have otherwise been able to if there was a fee associated with receiving food. Second, our organization is not constrained geographically by boundaries imposed by outside or umbrella organizations. This means we are able to put our resources into the counties who most need our assistance. Third, we are an inclusive, faith-based organization, and the values of our wide communities of faith are infused into every aspect of our operations.
To apply to our volunteer program, visit us online at http://www.ricedepot.org
