N※N

Second Harvest Food Bank Launches 'Food for Heroes' Drive to Support Local Veterans

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/11 .. -for-heroes-drive-to-support-local-veterans.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 11th 2025 at 16:50 GMT by KHQ

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-11 200 x 200 / 10850 Bytes

2025-11-11 245 x 206 / 16132 Bytes

2025-11-11 224 x 224 / 13554 Bytes

2025-11-11 179 x 224 / 12295 Bytes

Second Harvest Food Bank Launches “Food for Heroes” Drive to Support Local Veterans

In a heart‑warming display of community solidarity, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast Arkansas partnered with local veterans’ groups to host a special food drive in February 2024. The “Food for Heroes” initiative, launched during a press conference on February 8, brought together residents, businesses, and volunteers in a mission to provide essential groceries to Arkansas veterans who face food insecurity.

The Problem: Veterans and Food Insecurity

Veterans in Arkansas—like their counterparts nationwide—often contend with a range of hardships after returning to civilian life. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly 14 % of veterans living in the United States experience food insecurity, a statistic that has been rising in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic and rising costs of living. Second Harvest’s own data echo this national trend: among the families served in the region, veterans comprise one of the largest groups receiving food assistance.

“Veterans deserve the same dignity and care that we offer to all families,” said Melissa Hurst, director of the Food Bank’s Community Outreach program. “When they’re stuck with limited income and rising housing costs, a simple meal can make a world of difference.”

How the Drive Works

The Food for Heroes drive is scheduled to run from February 14 through March 3, coinciding with the annual “Give a Day” donation campaign. Volunteers will set up collection points at multiple venues—Second Harvest’s own facilities, local grocery stores, and community centers—where veterans and the general public can drop off non‑perishable items.

• Drop‑off Locations: The Food Bank’s main distribution center at 2101 Main St. (open weekdays 9 am–4 pm) and the neighboring grocery chain, Pantry Plus, at 300 North Oak, will both serve as collection hubs.
• Drop‑off Times: All locations will accept donations between 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
• Accepted Items: The drive focuses on canned goods, dried beans, rice, pasta, peanut butter, and other staples that can be stored long‑term.

“Don’t worry if you don’t have a truck or a car,” Hurst explained. “We’ve set up convenient curbside pick‑ups for those who can’t bring items directly to the location.”

Partnerships That Make It Happen

The initiative is built on a network of partnerships that amplify its reach and impact.

Second Harvest Food Bank

The state‑wide food bank, headquartered in Little Rock, operates the nation’s largest network of food banks and supports more than 70 distribution centers across Arkansas. Second Harvest’s volunteers and staff oversee the logistics of sorting, storing, and delivering the collected goods. Their website provides a donor portal and logistical guidelines, which were highlighted during the launch.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 212

A key partner is the local VFW Post 212, which has a long history of advocating for veterans’ health and welfare. Post members assisted in distributing flyers and coordinating volunteer sign‑ups. “It’s a privilege to stand beside the food bank,” said VFW Chapter Master Dave Ransom. “We’re giving back to those who gave us everything.”

Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs

The state’s Department of Veterans Affairs also lent its support by offering informational resources and encouraging its staff to participate in the drive. Through its own outreach program, the department highlighted how food insecurity can exacerbate mental health issues and suggested the food bank as a reliable resource for veterans.

Local Businesses

Multiple local businesses—ranging from the family‑owned grocery chain “Fresh Harvest” to the popular café “Brewed Awakenings”—promised to donate a portion of their sales to the drive or to provide space for collection bins. “We’re proud to contribute to a cause that keeps our community safe and nourished,” said Fresh Harvest manager Angela Lee. “Our customers will see how easy it is to help veterans right from their checkout.”

Highlights from the Press Conference

The launch event drew an enthusiastic crowd of local residents and veterans. The highlight was a heartfelt testimony from retired Army sergeant and local farmer, Harold “Hank” Jensen, who shared how the food bank helped his family when he was laid off from the military. “When I didn’t know where the next meal was coming from, Second Harvest stepped in,” Jensen recalled. “They didn’t just give us food—they gave us dignity and hope.”

A second story featured Mary Ellis, a 58‑year‑old widow who served in the National Guard. Ellis has been a regular volunteer at the food bank, but this drive marked her first donation of her own. “I want to do something for the next generation of veterans,” she said. “It’s my way of saying thank you.”

The event concluded with a pledge from Second Harvest’s executive board to expand the Food for Heroes drive to additional counties in the coming year, and a promise from the veterans’ partners to launch a complementary “Meals on Wheels” program for senior veterans in rural areas.

Why This Matters

Food drives are a longstanding tradition for community‑based nonprofits, but the Second Harvest initiative stands out because of its laser‑focused target: veterans. The food bank has noted that each month it serves roughly 2,000 veteran families, with the majority receiving pantry items rather than fresh produce. By concentrating donations on durable, shelf‑stable goods, the drive ensures that families have a reliable food supply while the food bank works on securing additional fresh‑food donations from local farms and food‑safety programs.

Experts say that the combination of community support, partnership networks, and a targeted outreach strategy positions the Food for Heroes drive as a powerful tool to combat veteran food insecurity. As the COVID‑19 pandemic has reshaped economic realities for many, the drive offers an immediate, tangible relief.

How to Get Involved

The Food Bank and its partners welcome contributions and volunteers:

• Donate Food: Bring non‑perishable items to any of the designated drop‑off sites.
• Volunteer: Sign‑up on Second Harvest’s volunteer portal or contact the local VFW Post for on‑site assistance.
• Spread the Word: Share the event on social media using the hashtag #FoodForHeroesArkansas.
• Financial Support: Monetary donations can be made directly through the Second Harvest website or by contacting their donation hotline.

For more detailed information, the article’s readers can consult the Second Harvest Food Bank’s official website, which hosts a dedicated “Food for Heroes” page with FAQs, donation instructions, and a calendar of volunteer opportunities. Additionally, the VFW Post 212’s site offers a sign‑up sheet for those interested in volunteer patrols and outreach.

Looking Ahead

While the February‑March window for the Food for Heroes drive is only the first phase, both Second Harvest and its partner organizations are already mapping out a multi‑year strategy. This includes partnering with local farms to create a “Veteran Fresh Food Basket,” expanding distribution to rural counties, and creating a mobile delivery system to reach veterans who cannot leave their homes.

By tapping into the goodwill of the Arkansas community, Second Harvest’s initiative underscores the powerful role local nonprofits can play in bridging the gaps left by larger systems. As the state’s veterans face growing economic pressures, initiatives like Food for Heroes provide a beacon of hope—and most importantly, a tangible meal.