Fort Smith, Ark. – As the holiday season approaches, the River Valley Regional Food Bank is sounding an urgent call for community assistance. The nonprofit, which operates a 48,000‑square‑foot warehouse that supplies food to 150 pantries across eight counties, says rising costs and growing demand could empty its shelves within a month if donations wane.
Why the Need Is Growing
Food‑bank director Hattie Hamilton explained that the cost of groceries, utilities and gasoline continues to climb while wages remain stagnant. “Cost of food goes up, cost of utilities go up, the price of gasoline goes up, but everyone still makes the same wage. So you have to decide what’s the most important thing to buy that week,” she said.
Last year the bank’s ten‑person staff distributed more than 19 million pounds of food. That figure has risen sharply, and Hamilton warned that without fresh contributions the warehouse could be emptied in roughly thirty days.
Turkey Drive as a Lifeline
The annual 40/29 and Arkansas CW Turkey Drive, now in its 14th year, is a cornerstone of the bank’s holiday strategy. “The turkey drive is a huge help in that we can supply the pantries with all the turkeys we’re gathering up. It makes a huge difference,” Hamilton emphasized.
The drive will take place on Friday at multiple locations throughout Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. For those unable to attend in person, monetary donations can be made online starting today.
Impact on Local Families
Jim Elam, a volunteer with the Kibler Baptist Church Pantry – one of the bank’s partner pantries – described the real‑world effect of the food bank’s work. “People tell me that if we weren’t there, they wouldn’t eat. And it breaks your heart,” he said. Elam added that his pantry served 593 families in a single month; “multiply that times three, and that’s how many people we serve,” he noted.
Hamilton reminded residents that hunger is often invisible. “People are hungry every day, and you can’t tell if they’re hungry or not. It could be the person standing next to you and they’re hungry. There’s not a sign on them that says, hey, I’m hungry. Most people keep that to themselves,” she said.
How to Help
Community members can support the effort in several ways:
- Donate a turkey or a monetary contribution during the Friday drive.
- Volunteer time at local pantries or distribution sites.
- Spread the word to neighbors, churches and civic groups.
Every contribution, whether a single turkey or a modest cash gift, helps ensure that families across the River Valley can enjoy a warm, nourishing holiday meal.
Looking Ahead
With the holiday season fast approaching, the River Valley Regional Food Bank urges Fort Smith residents and the broader Northwest Arkansas community to rally together. By supporting the turkey drive and ongoing food‑bank initiatives, families can protect one another from hunger and uphold the Christian values of generosity and neighborly love that define the region.
Original reporting: 40/29 News KHBS Fort Smith (local) — read the source article.
