Food Bank’s Jewels of Giving aids families in need

Rachel Money told a gala audience that she was able to be there because bubble gum and comic books helped change her life. The gum and the comics were tokens added to a bag of kitchen staples of cheese, rice and cereal and given to a family struggling to make it.

Money was the keynote speaker for the Jewels of Giving Gala benefiting the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank on Friday (Nov. 22). Her mother, Deborah, was a guest. The fundraising goal for the gala was $50,000.

Money recalled that when she was just 3 years old, she and her mom left her father in the middle of the night in search of a better life. Theirs was not an easy journey. The daughter said she can still recall the first time she went to sleep hungry in the back of her mother’s car. They had no home, and they had no food.

Yet, from those circumstances, the two managed to prevail. The kindness of others helped, including the thoughtful adult who felt a child would appreciate a comic book or a piece of Bazooka bubble gum.

Money shared her account in hopes of allowing individuals to know that even small things can have a big impact.

“It’s easy to think that just one person can’t make a difference,” she said.

Yet, one dollar given to the food bank can provide five meals. For some child going hungry, that $1 can mean food — and even Bazooka bubble gum, she said.

Deborah Money went on to become one of the most decorated teachers in Washington State history, her daughter noted. Rachel Money was awarded a scholarship, completed her degree and is employed by Procter & Gamble. It was in conjunction with a United Way campaign at P&G that Money first shared her story with others.

According to the Food Bank of NWA’s website, one in four people in Northwest Arkansas face food insecurity each week.  Yet, those in need may not tell others about their circumstances. Money said it’s difficult for people to share publicly about their lacking a basic necessity.

When she was working with the United Way campaign in her workplace, Money said as part of the presentation, someone helped by the agency or partner typically is asked to speak. With hunger, it was difficult to find someone. Money decided to share her story.

Marge Wolf, president and chief executive officer of the NWA Food Bank, was speaking to the group that day as well. Rachel Money went first, and it was a difficult presentation to follow, Wolf noted in introducing the keynote speaker.

Money ended her remarks with a “Thank you” to her mom and a challenge to others to step up and help make a difference.

Wolf and other Food Bank representatives also honored June Self, the founder of the Ozark Food Bank, which later became the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Self was approached in 1988 by the Green Thumb organization about starting a food bank, Wolf said, and Self followed through. The food bank was based first in a couple of locations in Rogers before relocating to Bethel Heights. The road on which the agency is located is named June Self Drive in honor of its founder.

Wolf said in 1989 the food bank distributed 89,000 pounds of food. Last year, 6.4 million pounds were distributed through more than 170 partner agencies, and this year’s total will exceed that amount, Wolf said. She credited Self with launching that initiative.

“Thank you for what you have done,” Wolf told Self.

Tim Yatso and Pam Kohn, both of Walmart Stores Inc., served as co-chairs for the event. Yatso noted that the food bank, which is marking its silver anniversary, has for 25 years been about the mission of nourishing Northwest Arkansas communities by feeding hungry people.

Hillshire Brands was the presenting sponsor.

According to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank website, the organization serves more than 450,000 people annually in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties through its partnerships with local human service agencies. Some 40 percent of clients served are children under 18.