Today, 1 in 7 of our Northwest Arkansas neighbors is hungry. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is committed to making our community a great place to live with access to basic needs, like nutritious food, we all need to live healthy and productive lives. Join us in our campaign to provide food for today and hope for tomorrow by feeding hungry people.

Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Announces New Campus Namesake

Honoring one family’s legacy in the movement to end hunger, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank announced the namesake of its new campus – the Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief.

The Harris family joined Kent Eikenberry, President/CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, in making the announcement Friday during the Food Bank’s annual Jewels of Giving Celebration.

“Speaking for the staff and board of directors for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, we could not be any prouder than we are at this moment,” Eikenberry said. “The Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief will allow us to serve our neighbors in need not only today but for decades into the future. It is only fitting that one of our first donors, if not the first, stepped up to make our dream a reality.”

“In the 7 1⁄2 years I have been at the Food Bank, members of the Harris Family have provided technical expertise, support and guidance that has proven to be invaluable in my development as a leader,” Eikenberry continued. “I am better today, the Food Bank is better today, and the groundwork is laid to be better tomorrow because of them.”

The 82,425-square-foot facility in Lowell will enhance the nonprofit’s food distribution and program capacities with an expanded warehouse and freezer/cooler spaces. Other features include a Volunteer Center, Teaching Garden, Community Room, Teaching Kitchen and staff offices.

This development will increase food distribution by 60 percent, with a goal to distribute more than 14 million meals by 2025.

The continued generosity of the Harris family and the Harris Foundation furthers the Food Bank’s mission to support households experiencing food insecurity across Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties.

“As a Foundation it's been a blessing to support the Northwest Arkansas Foodbank over the years. The new facility in Lowell launches the next chapter of programming and services to address food insecurity in a vibrant, growing region of the country,” said Don Harris, board chair of the Harris Foundation. “We are humbled that the organization is honoring our Founders, Claude and Betty Harris, in conjunction with the new operating space.”

“We also believe this is only one small part of what it takes to impact feeding those in our community,” Harris continued. “A building is nothing without leadership, staff, volunteers, corporate sponsors, churches, donors, food pantries and all the other tentacles of support needed to serve those most vulnerable here at home. It is those people and organizations that are the real key to success and we are so appreciative of what they do."

To learn more about the Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief, visit hope.nwafoodbank.org.

About Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

Northwest Arkansas Food Bank (a 501c3 organization) was established in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the need for hunger assistance in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. In 2022 the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributed over 13.8 million pounds of food and provided over 11.1 million meals. Together with more than 110 partner agencies, we are able to reach out to those in need; providing nutritious food to children, the working poor and senior citizens. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America and a founding member of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

THE NEED

In order to fulfill its mission to nourish Northwest Arkansas communities by feeding hungry people, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank must make significant capital improvements to increase food distribution and improve the quality and reach of its services.

CAMPAIGN VISION

To further establish itself as the leading source of hunger relief in the Northwest Arkansas community, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and its Board of Directors have developed a strategic plan to expand capacity, introduce new programs, and increase food distribution by more than 60% by 2025. This plan is supported by a $25,000,000 capital campaign: Food For Today. Hope For Tomorrow.

PLANS

The Center for Hunger Relief will be established at the intersection of Pleasant Grove Road and Honeysuckle Street in Lowell, Arkansas. From it's new location, The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank will continue to nourish, feed and lead as the population grows to provide 15 million meals by 2025.

PROGRESS

Incredible generosity from this community allows us to meet the need where our neighbors need it most! Get the latest updates on the fundraising status of the Food For Today. Hope For Tomorrow. capital campaign.