The Be Mighty Little Rock, a citywide campaign to connect kids and teens 18 and under to free meals, ran as a pilot program this summer, funded by a CHAMPS grant from the National League of Cities. The campaign is was a partnership between the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the City of Little Rock, Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock Parks & Rec, Little Rock School District, and Rock Region Metro. We’re thrilled to report:
- over 392,000 afterschool meals served in the 2018-19 school year over the summer (a 17% citywide increase over last year)
- 2,226 more summer meals served at CALS locations (a 49% increase over last summer)
- 1,200 metro passes were distributed to kids, teens, and caregivers, resulting in 16,792 rides this summer
Be Mighty will continue serving the Little Rock area throughout the school year connecting children to afterschool meals. You can find a meal site, learn more about the program, and get involved by visiting bemightylittlerock.org
Would you like to learn more about Be Mighty? They are hosting a free event on October 10, 2019, at Centre at University Park. The event is targeted to city and county elected officials, school superintendents, and child nutrition directors. Community leaders representing public libraries, community centers, churches, boys and girls clubs, 21st-century learning programs, and parks departments are also encouraged to participate.
Participants will gain a broad understanding of the role cities and counties can play, and an overview of federal meal programs. Following the event, participants will receive technical assistance in starting or expanding federal meal programs in their communities, as well as city and county branded marketing tools. This event is being held in partnership with the Food Research and Action Center and the National League of Cities. Presenters will include representatives from the Central AR Library System, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the City of Little Rock, the Little Rock School District, and representatives from smaller communities across the state.
The event will take place at the Centre at University Park located at 6401 W 12th St, Little Rock, AR 72204. A limited number of travel stipends are available for participants that register before September 15th.
If you cannot attend the event but are interested in implementing this program next summer, please contact Sikia Brown by emailing sbrown@arhungeralliance.org.