Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 1, 2025 – The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas distributed almost 12% more food in 2024 than it did in 2023. The totals were shared by Christie Jordan, Executive Director of the Food Bank.

In 2023 the food bank distributed 8,137,532 pounds of food.

“2023 was a challenging year,” Jordan said.  “Food prices were incredibly high and overall food donations were down.  This combination resulted in one of the lowest food distribution rates for our organization in recent years.”

Jordan said she and the food bank team analyzed their food donation channels and food purchasing needs as they planned for 2024. “I issued a challenge to our team to distribute 8.5 million pounds in 2024, and they rose to the occasion!”

In 2024 the food bank distributed 9,089,824 pounds of food. That’s an 11.7% increase over 2023.

Jordan credited the entire food bank team for the 2024 performance but singled out a few team members for special recognition:

  • Allan Garner, Director of Operations. “Allan coordinated manufacturing donations and strategic food purchases. He has a great understanding of the supply chain, where we need to direct resources, and what items our food pantries need.
  • Gary Phillips, Food Sourcing Coordinator. “Gary worked diligently with our retail store donors. He visited stores and worked hard to help Dollar General Stores implement a donation program in 2024.”
  • Elizabeth Johnson, Donor Engagement Coordinator. “Elizabeth organized countless food drives this year. Her concentrated effort really paid off.”
  • Rebecca Hendrix, Chief Development Officer. “Rebecca does a fantastic job leading our fundraising efforts to enable us to carry out our mission.”

Since 1983 the food bank has distributed millions of pounds of food throughout Northeast Arkansas. The food bank’s Core Food Distribution Program accepts donated bulk food, that would otherwise be destroyed, from local and national manufacturers, retailers and growers. This food is then stored and efficiently redistributed to charitable agencies that rely upon the Food Bank to provide nutritious food for their communities.

According to its website, the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas provides hunger relief to people in need by raising awareness, securing resources, and distributing food through a network of non-profit agencies and programs.