Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is making sure it is easier than ever to find food pantries thanks to a digital platform that puts real-time resources directly into the hands of those in need.
Since launching the ‘Vivery’ platform in March 2025, the organization has transformed its ‘Find Food’ tab into a fully interactive hub. The platform allows users to enter their address or use their current location to quickly see nearby food pantries, pop-up distribution events, and meal programs.
According to Chief Program Officer Jennifer Hannah, the system makes it easier to keep information current.
“The Vivery system allows our agency partners to log in and update their information, whereas previously, agencies had to communicate changes to our staff who would then update the information on the agency’s behalf,” she said.
One of the most beneficial aspects of Vivery is immediate communication. Hannah noted that the platform includes texting capabilities, allowing the Food Bank to send mass alerts to neighbors, a feature she said has already been useful.
“This alone has been incredibly helpful, especially in the recent winter weather. We were able to communicate quickly and easily with the public about our distributions,” she said.
Beyond accessibility, the tool aims to reduce the anxiety that often comes with getting help. By providing detailed filters such as “Open Today,” “Curbside Pickup,” or “Wheelchair Accessibility,” the system allows users to plan their visit without any hassle.
“We don’t want anyone to be nervous or unsure when they are seeking food assistance because of a lack of information,” Hannah explained. “This tool offers much more information to the user in advance of their visit to a pantry to try and make them more comfortable going into the experience.”
To combat the frustration that comes with driving to a pantry and finding it closed, the system uses “fresh” badges on agency profiles to indicate that hours and locations have been recently verified.
The technology also helps the food bank understand the region’s needs. Hannah said the platform provides data on where users are searching from, helping the organization identify geographic gaps in services.
Users can access the map by clicking here.
Additionally, the Food Bank has launched two new text alert lines for the public: