Salvation Army to provide sack lunches during spring break

Event to run March 20 - 24

The Salvation Army of El Dorado will be providing sack lunches for school children in the area during the week of Spring Break, March 20 through 24.

The organization anticipates that approximately 1,000 lunches per day will be distributed at over 10 different locations in Union County to ensure hungry youth are fed.

The program has provided thousands of meals since its inception over ten years ago according to the Salvation Army, and it is estimated 6,000 youth will be provided sack lunches this year. A portion of the funding for this program is provided by the Union County Community Foundation, Brookshires Grocery and United Way of Union County.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal in 2021, one in five children are food insecure in Arkansas, meaning the need for the Spring Break Lunch Program is great. The Salvation Army is looking for monetary donations to help with the purchase of bread, lunchmeat, chips, cookies, and small drinks or donations of those items are also welcome. Volunteers are likewise needed to help pack lunches and deliver to various locations where the lunches are being provided.

“Meeting human needs in Jesus’ name is what we do and that doesn’t stop during Spring Break. There is a lot of stress and financial burden on parents these days, especially those who were already stretched before the cost of groceries began to rise so much. We want the community to know that we care and we’re in this together,” said Major David Robinson, Commanding Officer for The Salvation Army of El Dorado.

The Salvation Army is interested in hearing from the public if they know of a location where children are needing a meal. For more information or to donate, call The Salvation Army at 870863-4830.