Centerton’s longtime food‑assistance hub, the Help to Others (H2O) pantry, closed earlier this week after the Living Waters United Methodist Church, which offered the space rent‑free, shut its doors due to a dwindling congregation.
Director cites lack of alternative space
“It’s been a hard, hard thing to do,” said Amy Prime, director of the H2O pantry. Prime explained that the pantry had operated in the church building at no cost for years, and moving to a new location would have required rent the organization could not afford. “We had no way of going anywhere else. That wasn’t feasible for us,” she added.
Need remains high in the community
Prime stressed that the closure comes at a time when many families are struggling to cover groceries, utility bills and medical expenses. “Everything has gone up even more so than when we first started,” she said. “Seeing your neighbors struggle, you don’t want that at all. So I want for them a place where they are safe and where they can go.”
Pantry’s impact since 2011
Since opening in 2011, the H2O pantry served the public every Saturday, relying on volunteers and donations from community partners such as Walmart, Harps and the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Prime estimates the pantry helped nearly 2,000 families in 2026 and has distributed more than 1.8 million pounds of food since its inception.
Faith‑based hope for a new solution
While the pantry’s doors are closed, Prime expressed confidence that another organization will step forward. “Someone will step up, I know they will. God doesn’t close doors permanently. There’s always another that will open,” she said, adding that she believes a new solution will emerge within Centerton’s strong community.
Other local food‑assistance options
Residents in need can turn to other resources. Centerton’s First Baptist Church and Flames2Fire Ministries both operate weekly food pantries. Additionally, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank runs mobile pantry sites throughout the region. A searchable list of nearby pantries is available on the Food Bank’s website.
Looking ahead
The loss of the H2O pantry underscores the importance of sustainable, locally‑supported food‑assistance programs. Community leaders and volunteers are encouraged to explore partnerships that can fill the gap and ensure that families in Centerton continue to have reliable access to nutritious meals.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
