LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – As Senator Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats continue to keep the government shut down and deny critical benefits to Arkansans, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is stepping in to assist. The Governor today announced that she is directing $500,000 to six food bank networks across Arkansas and will consider additional allocations on a weekly basis should the shutdown continue.
The Governor also announced that the HelpArkansas.com page on her website will direct Arkansans to food assistance resources throughout the state and will be updated as the government shutdown continues. Arkansans looking to volunteer or donate to help those in need can also find information on the site.
“What Senate Democrats are doing is unconscionable, playing political games with the food assistance that nearly a quarter million Arkansans rely on,” said Governor Sanders. “The simplest, fastest solution remains for Democrats to reopen the government and fund programs like SNAP, but in the meantime, my administration will work with our legislators, churches, and food banks to help feed Arkansans.”
On Thursday, Governor Sanders secured emergency action from the Arkansas Legislative Council chairs to direct $500,000 in Restricted Reserve funds to food banks starting Monday, November 3rd. Should the shutdown continue past next week, the Governor will consider additional, weekly allocations to those food banks.
Six Arkansas food bank networks will receive equal portions of the funds:
- Northwest Arkansas Food Bank at Springdale
- Food Bank of North Central Arkansas at Norfork
- Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas at Jonesboro
- River Valley Regional Food Bank at Fort Smith
- Arkansas Foodbank at Little Rock
- Arkansas Foodbank Lexa Branch
- Arkansas Foodbank Warren Branch
- Harvest Regional Food Bank at Texarkana
Additionally, the Governor is encouraging the food banks to purchase Arkansas grown and manufactured goods.
Arkansas’ SNAP program serves nearly a quarter million beneficiaries at more than 2,700 retail locations. Because of Senate Democrats’ government shutdown, the program will cease to receive funding on November 1. Arkansans impacted by this are encouraged to visit HelpArkansas.com to find a nearby food bank and monitor guidance updates from Arkansas’ Department of Human Services, which oversees the state’s SNAP program.
Governor Sanders has pursued other policies to combat food insecurity and improve nutrition in Arkansas, including making Arkansas the first state in the South to offer free school breakfast to every single public school student, signing Arkansas up for Summer EBT to offer students food during the summer months, and making school lunch free for students who previously received reduced-price meals. The Governor recently announced a new farm-to-school pilot program to help put fresh, local produce in Arkansas schools.
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