FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2022

Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Receives Grant from the Alice L. Walton Foundation to Support Capital Campaign and Healthy Food Initiatives

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas (October 11, 2022) –

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank (NWAFB) announced a $3,500,000 grant from the Alice L. Walton Foundation to support two of its strategic initiatives. $3,000,000 has been granted in the form of a matching gift to support the construction of the Food Bank’s new distribution center in Lowell. The remaining $500,000 of the grant will support the purchase and distribution of healthy foods in the region over a two-year period.



“The Alice L. Walton Foundation’s thoughtful approach to this investment will benefit our community in many ways,” said Kent Eikenberry, President/CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. “We are grateful for this partnership to ensure greater access to healthy foods while encouraging other members of our community to consider their own investment in our future.”

As part of the Food For Today. Hope For Tomorrow. capital campaign, NWAFB will establish a new campus in Lowell that will house all Food Bank operations, including a new 82,425 square-foot distribution center and a teaching garden. The new facility will support expanded capacity, new programs and a 60 percent increase in distribution of nutritious food to meet the region’s growing needs. Through the matching gift, all donations made to support construction will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, up to $3,000,000.

Thanks to a successful grant partnership in 2019 with Alice Walton through the Walton Family Foundation, the “Foods to Encourage” initiative was launched to promote better food choices that are essential to a healthy lifestyle. Often, the healthiest food choices are too expensive for most clients. Since that time, NWAFB has taken great strides to increase access to healthy foods for hungry Northwest Arkansans. Nutritious food distribution increased 35 percent in the first year and currently accounts for 65 percent of overall distribution. This grant will support increased access to healthy foods such as fresh produce, grains, dairy and lean proteins to account for 70 percent of all food distributed by 2024.

“Hunger is an ongoing struggle for too many of our neighbors in Northwest Arkansas, and access to food choices that promote a healthy lifestyle can be limited,” said philanthropist Alice Walton. “The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank plays a critical role in addressing these issues, and I welcome everyone in our community to join us in the campaign to provide food for today and hope for tomorrow.”

To date, more than $20,400,000 has been committed to the $25,000,000 capital campaign. To learn more about the Food For Today. Hope For Tomorrow. capital campaign and make a donation that will be doubled by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, please 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 2021 the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributed more than 14 million pounds of food and provided 11.3 million meals in the NWA region. Together with more than 110 partner agencies, 20 mobile pantries, and 19 school pantries, 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.

About the Alice L. Walton Foundation

Founded in 2017, the Alice L. Walton Foundation works to enhance the quality of life for individuals through providing access to offerings that improve well-being and create diverse and inclusive communities. The foundation focuses on philanthropist Alice Walton’s commitment to increasing access to the arts, improving education outcomes, enhancing health, and advancing economic opportunity for all. Through this work, the foundation strives to deliver meaningful and lasting change to individuals and communities most in need. Learn more at AliceWalton.org.