AT&T leaders announced the Believe Arkansas initiative today at the state capitol with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Executive Director Kathy Webb. Believe Arkansas, through partnering with the Alliance, will work to combat hunger and food insecurity in Arkansas.
“Fighting hunger has been among the great challenges of Arkansas for generations,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Through partnerships and commitment like we see today from AT&T and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, we can ensure that many more Arkansas children and families have the food and nourishment they need.”
AT&T Arkansas State President Ronnie Dedman said Believe Arkansas is an extension of AT&T Believes, company-wide initiative designed to create positive change in local communities. Elements of Believe Arkansas include:
- Collaborating with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to identify strategies and specific programs where volunteers, donations or food drives can make the biggest difference.
- A commitment of at least $100K to support the initiative in 2019. Among those gifts so far: $50K to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance from the AT&T Foundation, and $20K from AT&T to the Alliance designated to assist food pantries during flood disaster recovery.
- Also, AT&T in Central Arkansas currently is offering scores of collection points in its stores – plus a $10K contribution, half from AT&T and half from Telecom Pioneers, an AT&T-supported volunteer organization – to support the annual THV11 Summer Cereal Drive.
- Later this year, AT&T and Cricket Wireless stores statewide – more than 100 locations – will serve as food collection points to provide “food patrol packs” for police and first responders to carry in their vehicles and distribute to needy families in the course of their work.
“AT&T employees are the heart of Believe Arkansas,” Dedman said. “Our employees are committed to making sure children and families in their own communities, many times their neighbors, don’t go to bed hungry.
“For many years, AT&T has been a valuable partner in the fight against hunger and food insecurity, and we are not surprised to see the company take their commitment to the next level by launching Believe Arkansas,” Kathy Webb said.
