Tyson Foods fills pantry in River Valley

FORT SMITH — Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc. has donated more than 73,000 pounds of chicken products to the River Valley Regional Food Bank.

The food will be distributed Wednesday to the food bank’s member pantry agencies, and then Thursday to the public at the food bank’s headquarters at 1617 S. Zero St. The public distribution will begin at 8 a.m. and will proceed in a drive-thru fashion at the front of the building while supplies last.

Tyson Foods made the donation to help the food bank help fight hunger in west central Arkansas during the covid-19 crisis, according to a news release from the food bank Monday. The donation includes a variety of frozen chicken products.

“This donation further strengthens the critical role Tyson Foods plays in the operations at the River Valley Regional Food Bank,” the release states. “In addition to donations of frozen protein products, the company’s grants over the years have allowed us to expand freezer capacity, which allows us to house more food to distribute to our clients.”

Tracy Engel, director of the food bank, thanked Tyson for its continued support and for helping during the health crisis.

“One of my favorite quotes by Simone Weil is, ‘It is an eternal obligation toward the human being not to let him suffer from hunger when one has the chance to come to his assistance,’” Engel said. “This is now truer than ever during these uncharted times that we as a community, a state, and a country are living in.”

Tyson Foods is one of the world’s largest food companies. It regularly donates to food banks and communities affected by disasters.