– On June 26th, there were reports of a lively party at the Hope Connexion Outreach Center (HCOC), featuring singing, dancing, and laughter, along with the impressive feat of bagging, sealing, and boxing 5,038 meals in just 1.5 hours. The goal was to dethrone Arkansas from the top spot. As one of our volunteers, Alexandrea Burton, poignantly remarked, “But, sadly, this is all in light of something so sobering.”

The HCOC, in partnership with the Hunger Relief Army, united to combat hunger and food insecurity in our community. Jeff Medders of the Hunger Relief Army shared some sobering statistics at the event, highlighting that "Arkansas is 50th, the top spot for food insecure state in the US. One in four children and one in five elderly individuals are in need. This is HERE, this is NOW! What do children and elderly have in common? Most have limited, no source or options of income and must rely on community and government assistance to survive.”

The HCOC understands the severity of food insecurity and hunger and is actively fighting this through their ministry with their Blessin’ Boxes and Blessin’ Garden. Pastor Amy Perry, Executive Director of the HCOC said this, “In Hempstead County it is one in three children and one in five elderly individuals that are in need. Every donation to the Blessin’ Boxes, everyone who volunteers in the Blessin Garden helps drive the change in the hunger and insecurity problem we have here in our own community.” HCOC plans to have another packing party in the near future. They extend their heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers that came out to do their small part to help dethrone Arkansas from the top spot.