Monthly commodities distribution planned

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas will be holding its monthly commodity distribution in several areas of St. Francis County next week.

The distributions will be held in Forrest City, Hughes, Palestine and Wheatley on Wednesday, July 28, from 9 a.m. until noon.

In Forrest City, the drivethrough distribution site will once again be stationed at the Sports Complex on Highway 1 South. In Hughes, commodities will be distributed at the community center, and at city halls in Palestine and Wheatley.

Recipients are asked to remain in their vehicles during distributions.

In June, the Food Bank served 364 St. Francis County households and a total of 690 people.

Keith Livesay, USDA Coordinator for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, said, “We'll bring non-perishable boxes like we normally do with canned items and shelf stable items. We'll bring a little over 500 of those."

Livesay also said the Food Bank would have boxes containing a variety of produce. "I think they'll have some cabbage this time, but I'm not 100% sure," he said.

Livesay issued the regular reminder, cautioning those who want the commodities to remember they must reside in St. Francis County to be eligible for this distribution. 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 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 or questions regarding eligibility for the program, contact Livesay at the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas by calling 870-9323663.

Katie West • Times-Herald Miracle Hull, left, and Dayshun Sharks use a variety of art supplies to color. The two participated in the adult coloring program Monday at the Forrest City Public Library. The library is hosting many summer programs this year. The next program is scheduled for tomorrow, from 10 a.m. until noon, and will host the St. Francis County Extension Service’s Kids in the Kitchen program.