Every September the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance joins food banks and hunger relief groups across the country to raise awareness about and take action against hunger. There are so many ways you can support our vision of a hunger-free Arkansas during Hunger Action Month. Donate your time at a food pantry! Buy a cup of coffee! Learn about food insecurity in your county. Whether you take a hands-on approach or prefer to be an advocate behind the scenes, we encourage you to be a hunger hero this September! Keep reading for ideas!
Each day, our Facebook and Instagram pages will highlight different way you can take action during Hunger Action Month, whether it’s trying a new healthy and affordable recipe or learning how SNAP boosts local economies. Stay tuned and follow us daily to discover how you can contribute to a hunger-free Arkansas!
Hunger Action Partnerships
We appreciate all our amazing collaborations with local restaurants and businesses. Drop by these businesses to show your support!
- Dollar Up at Trio’s Restaurant: Make a difference with every meal at Trios by participating in the Dollar Up program. When you dine at Trio’s, add just one dollar to your bill and support the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in the fight against hunger. Your generosity helps, one meal at a time! NOTE: The Dollar Up program is observed all year long, not just during Hunger Action Month!
- Round Mountain Coffee Hunger Hero Blend: From September 1 to November 1, savor a cup of the Hunger Hero Blend at Round Mountain Coffee in Conway and make a difference. For every purchase of this special blend, a portion of the sales will benefit the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Enjoy your coffee knowing you’re helping create a hunger-free Arkansas!
- The Mighty Peach: Thanks to the amazing support of Kevin Shalin, known for his food blog, The Mighty Rib, we once again have the pleasure of eating ice cream for a cause. “The Mighty Peach” ice cream flavor is available through September. The best part? A portion of each sale benefits the Alliance! Loblolly Scoop Shops are located at 1423 Main Street in Little Rock and 115 North Market Street in Benton, open seven days a week at Noon.
Hunger Action Events and Activities
Stretch Your SNAP Dollars with Food Smarts Cooking Class Series
Dates: Mondays in September (9th, 16th & 23rd)
Time: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W 17th Street, Little Rock
The Alliance is excited to partner with Arkansas Children’s Hospital to host a cooking class featuring our new Food Smarts nutrition education curriculum! This class aims to promote healthy eating and community wellness through hands-on cooking and nutrition lessons. Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Food Smarts demonstrates how positive food experiences can heal individuals, foster healthy community norms, promote nutrition security, and support the realignment of broken food systems. Each session includes a nutrition activity and cook-along, with participants receiving a free kitchen kit filled with useful utensils. Enhance your cooking skills and create low-cost, healthy, delicious dishes! CLICK HERE to register!
Hunger Action Breakfast
Date: Thursday, September 19
Time: 7:30 a.m.Location: Junior League Building, Little Rock
Details: Join us Thursday, September 19, at 7:30 a.m. for our Hunger Action Breakfast at the Junior League Building in Little Rock, chaired by Kelly and Brad Eichler. We’re celebrating the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations with our Acting Out Against Hunger Awards, recognizing those who have made significant contributions in the fight against hunger. Enjoy breakfast while connecting with fellow advocates, community leaders, and hunger fighters. Join us! Purchase tickets:
Be Mighty Hunger Action Monday with Chef Liam
Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Details: Join Be Mighty for Hunger Action Mondays for a virtual program from the Children’s Library teaching kitchen every Monday this September at 4 p.m. Learn a healthy and affordable recipe from various hunger action organizations across Arkansas. Watch the livestream from BeMighty’s Facebook and Instagram every Monday during September at 4 p.m. Our very own Chef Liam joins our friends at Be Mighty on Monday, September 23.
USDA Meal Sponsor Collaborative Network Launch
Date: Wednesday, September 25
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Register to participate: https://bit.ly/MealSponsorCollab
Details: The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance’s No Kid Hungry team is launching a USDA Meal Sponsor Collaborative Network to support summer and afterschool meal sites hosted by community organizations. Community-based sponsors can include churches, libraries, community centers, and others operating the USDA’s CACFP and SFSP programs. Grab lunch and join us on Zoom to learn more about the collaborative network and to discuss your takeaways from Summer 2024 meal service! Please contact Jasmine Zandi at jzandi@arhungeralliance.org with any questions.
On the Border Hunger Action Fundraiser
Date: Thursday, September 26
Details: Join us on Thursday, September 26, for a special fundraiser to support the Alliance! Enjoy a meal with our friends at On the Border during the scheduled fundraiser time and help us receive 20% of sales! To participate, show them our On the Border fundraiser graphic or use the digital code “FUNDRAISER” when ordering online. Every meal makes a difference!
Hunger Action Engagements
Volunteer at Hunger Action Breakfast. We would love your help at Hunger Action Breakfast on Thursday, September 19. We need help: setting up, serving breakfast, and cleaning up. Volunteers need to report to the Junior League Building at 401 South Scott Street in Little Rock at 7:00 a.m. We will be finished by 10:00 a.m. CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer.
Become an Alliance Ambassador. The Alliance is looking forward to hosting another year of Alliance Ambassadors! Folks in Central Arkansas between the ages of 18-30 that would like to learn more about hunger solutions, gain experience volunteering with a nonprofit organization, and engage with a group of service-minded peers, are encouraged to apply. Ambassadors are required to attend bimonthly meetings, with additional optional learning opportunities and events available throughout the Cohort year (October 2024 – August 2025). Please contact Jasmine Zandi at jzandi@arhungeralliance.org with any questions. Apply here: https://bit.ly/AllianceAmbassadors24
Set your Kroger Rewards to support the Alliance. Did you know you can support the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance every time you go Krogering? Kroger’s Community Rewards program allows you to link your Kroger Shopper’s Card to a digital account on the Kroger app and select the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Step by step details are on our website under Other Ways to Give.
Hunger Action Learning
Learn about hunger in Arkansas. Our national partner Feeding America provides in-depth data about food insecurity through their Map the Meal Gap study. Learn more about what hunger looks like in your community. Follow this link for an interactive map and other local hunger statistics. https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2022/overall/arkansas
Try a New Recipe! This month, we’re featuring healthy, budget-stretching recipes our “Chef Liam” has selected. Keep an eye on our social media or look at his entire Hunger Action Month recipe collection on our blog.
Learn about the Charitable Food Network. Donating your time at your local food bank, food pantry, hunger garden, or any hunger relief organization enables you to have a peek at how the Charitable Food Network operates. In 2023, Arkansas’s six Feeding America food banks distributed over 93 million pounds of food through the charitable food network. Visit our website to find your nearest food bank.