Little Rock, AR- The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, together with the six Arkansas Feeding America Food Banks – Arkansas Foodbank, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, Harvest Regional Food Bank, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and River Valley Regional Food Bank – are concerned by the findings of the latest Map the Meal Gap report released by Feeding America on Wednesday, May 15. The report highlights a 20% increase in food insecurity across Arkansas, with childhood food insecurity rising by 26.7% compared to the last Map the Meal Gap report released last year.
The new data reveals that thousands of Arkansans struggle to secure enough food. According to the report, 567,110 people in Arkansas are food insecure, representing an 18.6% food insecurity rate. Additionally, 168,430 children in Arkansas face food insecurity, with a childhood food insecurity rate of 24.2%. It is important to note that while the increase in food insecurity in Arkansas is troubling, it falls below the national average increase of 30% overall.
"Our mission has never been more important," said Sylvia Blain, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. "The rise in food insecurity in Arkansas, especially among children, is cause for concern. Together with our partner food banks, we remain committed to addressing food insecurity in Arkansas."
The Alliance and its member agencies work closely to improve enrollment in WIC and SNAP benefits, ensuring eligible families can access these critical nutrition assistance programs. SNAP is the first defense against hunger in Arkansas, and many Arkansans eligible for benefits do not apply.
In addition, the Alliance collaborates with the regional Feeding America food banks in Arkansas, providing support and seeking new ways to meet the growing demand for food assistance. Together, we support initiatives to improve kids’ access to nutritious meals year-round, including school breakfast and lunch, afterschool and summer meals, innovative summer meal delivery programs in rural areas, and the new Summer EBT program, which will provide $120 in grocery benefits to eligible students struggling with hunger while school is out. These vital programs work together to help alleviate food insecurity in our communities and ensure that all Arkansas children receive the nutrition they need daily so they can thrive.
Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs nationwide, is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. The Map the Meal Gap report is an annual study that provides detailed information on food insecurity across the United States. The data presented in the latest report reflects information from the previous year, specifically 2022. This timeline allows for complete collection, analysis, and compilation of data from diverse sources nationwide. By ensuring accuracy and reliability, the report offers a comprehensive snapshot of food insecurity in the United States. It provides insights into the number of individuals facing hunger, the demographics of those affected, and the gap between available resources and the needs of food-insecure individuals and families.
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About Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to reducing hunger and improving access to nutritious food for all Arkansans. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration with local partners, we strive to create a hunger-free Arkansas. Founding members include the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas in Mountain Home, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro, Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale, and River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith. We invite you to visit ARHungerAlliance.org for details on hunger relief programs, donor, and volunteer opportunities.
CONTACT: Jessica Crenshaw, (501) 240-4715, [email protected]