Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — July 4, 2025 — The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is looking for volunteers to pick corn to help feed the hungry.
On July 9 and 10 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., individuals interested in volunteering for a cause are asked to “grab your boots, your sun hat, and your best ‘let’s do some good’ attitude” and meet at the Marmaduke Community Building on W. Warner Street in Marmaduke to harvest sweet corn.
This is the first year the food bank is picking corn for the community, and local groups like churches and FFA programs are invited to help out.
Corn picked from the corn patch will be distributed throughout the NEA Food Bank’s service area in Craighead, Randolph, Clay, Lawrence, Greene, Mississippi, Poinsett, Jackson, Cross, Woodruff, St. Francis and Crittenden counties.
The food bank is working in partnership with Cliff Carter, a Marmaduke farmer and member of Turnrow Ministry.
“We began discussions with Cliff Carter in the fall of 2024 to plant five acres of corn this spring, specifically for the food bank, and we were able to pay him a small amount to help recoup some of his costs,” said Rebecca Hendrix, chief development officer for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. “It has been a wonderful partnership. Anyone who knows Cliff knows that he has such a servant heart and wants to help out in any way he can.”
The food bank is hoping for around 200 volunteers to come out and pick corn.
“Whether you’re earning service hours or just want to make a difference, this is an amazing way to give back,” Hendrix said.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up here. All volunteers must be 12 or older to participate and must be comfortable working outdoors.
Besides corn pickers, electrolyte drinks like Gatorade, bottles of water, snacks, tents, coolers and ice are also needed. Hendrix says that monetary donations are encouraged as well. For donation inquiries, contact the NEA Food Bank at 870-932-3663 or visit the office at 3414 One Place in Jonesboro.
“We have a volunteer management system to get people signed up, and we have a plan for when folks show up to pick the corn,” Hendrix said. “This is our first time to do something like this, especially at this scale, so we are hoping to learn from it and make it a reoccurring opportunity.”
Through service opportunities like picking corn, the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas works to raise awareness and secure resources for those experiencing food insecurity in our community.
“We hope to achieve three things through opportunities like this,” Hendrix said. “One, provide access to fresh, locally grown produce. Two, provide an avenue for communities to come together to help people facing hunger. Three, strengthen and provide support for our farmers, because without them we would all be facing hunger.”
The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas has service opportunities year-round for all ages. For more information about how to volunteer, click here.