Volunteers pack 5K meals in 90 minutes to fight food insecurity in Arkansas

HOPE, Ar. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – The Hope ConneXion Outreach Center (HCOC) partnered with the Hunger Relief Army for a special event to help fight food insecurity in the Hempstead County area.

According to HCOC, during a packing party at the center on July 26th, volunteers bagged, sealed, and boxed 5,038 meals in just 90 minutes.

“Arkansas is 50th, the top spot for food insecure state in the U.S.,” said Jeff Medders from Hunger Relief Army. “One in four children and one in five elderly individuals are in need. This is HERE, this is NOW! What do children and elderly have in common? Most have limited, no source or options of income and must rely on community and government assistance to survive.”

“In Hempstead County, it is one in three children and one in five elderly individuals that are in need. Every donation to the Blessin’ Boxes, everyone who volunteers in the Blessin’ Garden helps drive the change in the hunger and insecurity problem we have here in our own community,” explained Pastor Amy Perry, Executive Director of HCOC.

Organizers said the goal of hosting packing parties is to dethrone Arkansas from the top spot and plan to host more in the future.

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