Breakfast celebrates those who help in feeding others
“The bad news is, there [are] still children going to bed hungry,” Gov. Mike Beebe reminded attendees of the Hunger Action Breakfast, held Sept. 25 in the Grand Hall of the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. But the good news, he added, is that hunger can be eradicated.
Hosted by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the event attracted a nearly full house. Co-chairmen Ruth Whitney and Ron Fuller welcomed attendees prior to Beebe’s remarks. Quiche, fruit, bacon and muffins with orange juice and coffee were served prior to the continuation of the morning’s agenda.
The Rev. John Embry and Mike Carpenter of the Sheridan Ministerial Alliance also spoke and reminisced about their participation in the alliance’s No Kid Hungry Summer Feeding Program.
After a call-out for alliance memberships and donations, a number of awards were given for hunger-relief efforts. Individual honorees were Randy Clanton, Kirby Fullerton, Paulette Hill, Ken Sauer, Charlotte Tidwell and the late David Mason. Elected officials honored were state Sens. Bruce Maloch, Eddie Cheatham, Gary Stubblefield, Bill Sample and Jon Woods. Honored businesses and organizations, along with individuals associated with them, were Kelly Mitchell with the Texar Federal Credit Union; Tom Brannon and the KTHV-TV, Channel 11, Summer Cereal Drive; Life Skills for Youth; the William F. Laman Public Library; employees of Riceland Foods; and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach volunteers Nancy Eddy, Valerie Pearsall, Gail Pitts and Marnie Wightman.
“This is a celebration, people,” Beebe told them. “It’s a celebration of you. Let me say thank you.” — Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams