Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Members of the Jonesboro-University Rotary Club gathered Thursday morning to present a $5,000 check supporting the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.

Each year, the club donates around $5,000 to the Food Bank of NEA, which directs where the funds are to be used. This year, the Food Bank selected the food pantry program at Jonesboro Public School’s Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies (HWES) Magnet School.

In years past, the funds have gone to help backpack programs in area school districts, but it was changed this year to the pantry to help feed more people.

“They’re transitioning us to the food pantry because they don’t want to just take care of one child at home. They want to take care of all the children,” said Jonesboro-University Rotary Club president Tamara Roberson. “That money will go to buying food for their pantry, and the families will come in and be able to get food for their children.”

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Money for Thursday’s check presentation comes from the Jonesboro-University Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. Fundraising events the club hosts, such as its annual Pot ‘O Gold event held around St. Patrick’s Day, allow the club to provide monetary donations to community organizations and missions.

Shalon Tate, HWES principal, said the backpack program has fed approximately 150 to 200 kids in the past two years. By receiving funding for the school’s pantry, she said more families can be fed.

“With this [check money], we’re able to purchase meals, and so instead of just sending a backpack home, parents will come pick up meals that will feed our kids for about two weeks,” Tate said. “It just doesn’t feed the student that is housed in our school; it feeds everybody that is out in the home.”

The pantry runs through the school year, and Jonesboro Public Schools runs a feeding program in the summer for students in need.

Tate thanked the Rotary Club for its donation, as well as anyone who’s donated to HWES’s food pantry program.

Thursday’s presentation is not the only community service event the club does for area schools. Roberson said club members read to schools in the Nettleton district and host a pizza party for students, among other outreach events.

“Rotary brings us all together as a community and then helps us help out the Jonesboro community, which is very important to all of our hearts,” Roberson said. “That’s why we’re here. It’s about service and leadership and giving back to the community.”

The Jonesboro-University Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 7 a.m. at Embassy Suites, located at 223 Red Wolf Blvd. It also has a social hour the first Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Native Brew Works, located at 515 S. Gee St.

Those interested in joining can contact Roberson at 870-761-2666.

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