Food Bank plans Wednesday distribution of commodities across St. Francis County

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas will once again distribute commodities in St. Francis County.

The distribution is set for Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. until noon, or until supplies are depleted.

The food will be distributed on a first- come, first- served basis. Area residents typically begin lining up for the distribution several hours before it begins.

The distribution will take place at the Forrest City Sports Complex. There will also be distributions at the Hughes Community Center, Palestine City Hall and Wheatley City Hall.

To be eligible, those seeking food must reside in St. Francis

County. During the drive-through distribution, recipients will be required to remain in their vehicles.

"I know we will have commodity boxes," said Keith Livesay, USDA Coordinator with the Food Bank, adding that he could not be sure what else would be available until the distribution trucks arrived.

Last month, according to Livesay, the Food Bank served 572 St. Francis County households for a total of 1,029 people. This number brings the total for 2020 to 5,078 families and 10,645 people.

According to Livesay, recipients must also meet the income guidelines that have been set for the emergency food assistance program.

At the time of the distribution, information cards will be filled out for all recipients. Recipients will need to provide the following information: name, address, family size and combined monthly income of the household. An appropriate form of identification, such as a driver’s license, Social Security card or picture identification card must be also be shown.

Recipients will only be allowed to pick up food for themselves and one additional household. To pick up food for a shut-in, elderly person or other qualified household, the person picking up the food must have a signed authorization slip with the following information on it from the person he or she is picking up for: name, address, family size and combined monthly income of the

household receiving the food. Case workers picking up for large groups must make prior arrangements with the USDA coordinator, according to Livesay.

For more information about the distribution of commodities or questions regarding eligibility, contact Livesay at 870-932-3663.

Katie West • Times-Herald Ashley Boone, left, and Kittrel Wynne fold clothes for St. Francis County residents to pick up for free. A group of Good Samaritans organized the free clothes giveaway held Saturday at the Grant Street parking lot.