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Grant to Help Backpack Program

Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas

  The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas announced today that it will use a $10,989.94 grant received from the Red Nose Day Fund to support children at risk of hunger through its Backpack Program.  This latest contribution from Red Nose Day will impact more than 1,000 children in need in Northeast Arkansas. 

Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day raises awareness and money to end child poverty, supporting programs that help to keep kids safe, healthy, and educated.  The grant for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is one of 200 provided this year by the Red Nose Day Fund to Feeding America® member food banks.

The mission of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas’ Backpack Program is to meet the needs of hungry children by providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to take home on weekends and school holidays. 

“Research shows that children who experience hunger face significant stress and challenges that can have a lasting effect on their physical, cognitive, and behavioral development,” said Christie Jordan, CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.  “We are very grateful for the support we receive through Red Nose Day, which helps us provide food and support.”  

Since launching in the US in 2015, over $4.5 million of Red Nose Day funds have been allocated to Feeding America to support child hunger initiatives.  Funds go to all partner organizations in the national Feeding America network, which spans every county in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

According to the USDA, one in six children in the US is food insecure, meaning that 13 million children lack regular and easy access to safe, nutritionally adequate food.  The Feeding America network of food banks provides 3.7 billion meals annually.