A bountiful haul : The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank received 5,000 pounds of food in December.
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2009
BENTONVILLE - The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank received almost 5,000 pounds of food as a result of a December food drive spearheaded by Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson.
Marge Wolf, director of the food bank, expressed thanks Wednesday to Ferguson, his deputies, Pea Ridge Police Chief Tim Ledbetter and other local businesses who participated in the drive.
Eighteen barrels were placed outside area businesses so people could donate items to the food bank. The Benton County Sheriff's Office used inmate labor to collect the food and deliver it to the food bank.
The food bank then provided the food to other food banks sponsored by churches and other organizations, which, in return, paid 18 cents a pound for the food. According to Wolf, the food drive provided about 4,500 meals.
BCSO Capt. Mike Jones said some businesses would call repeatedly about a barrel being full and ready for pickup.
"It was a great effort by everyone," Jones said. "I'm talking about a countywide effort."
Wolf believes the success of the drive shows that people do care.
"People may not care if you don't have cable, satellite or the Internet, but no one wants to see anyone go hungry," Wolf said.
The food bank is always in need of some food items, such as peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, dry milk and other nutritious items.
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