Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

June Self recognized that hunger was an issue in Northwest Arkansas. In 1988, she founded what would become the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. After researching how to start, operate, and fund a food bank, she opened the first facility, known as the Ozark Food Bank, in Rogers in 1989.

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributes food to more than 110 agency partners in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties. The four-county area has more than 89,000 people who are considered “food insecure,” meaning they don’t know where their next meal will come from, said CEO Kent Eikenberry.

The nonprofit receives food from corporate and individual donations, food drives held in the area, and purchases made at wholesale prices from various vendors across the U.S. Once the food enters the food bank, it is weighed and logged into the system. 

“Through this system, our agency partners can order the items they need for their pantries, which are then distributed to our neighbors who visit the pantries,” Eikenberry said. “We also distribute food to neighbors through our mobile pantries, currently operating 19 per month at various locations; school pantries, currently doing 14 distributions per month; and emergency boxes distributed by first responders and hospitals.”

The food bank has experienced growth in recent years, both in its operational capacity and the scope of services offered. In 2011, the nonprofit expanded its Springdale location, increasing 22,000 square feet to accommodate the growing demand for food assistance. By 2015, it had distributed more than 8.2 million pounds of food and provided over 6.9 million meals. In 2024, it distributed more than 14 million pounds of food, providing over 12.4 million meals to those in need.

“2024 was a landmark year for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank,” Eikenberry said. “After successfully completing a $26 million capital campaign, we opened the brand-new, 84,000-square-foot Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief in Lowell. This new facility allows us to better meet the growing demand for hunger relief in our community by significantly increasing our storage capacity, expanding our distribution programs, and enhancing our ability to serve more neighbors in need.”

One key to the food bank’s success is the number of dedicated volunteers who help the nonprofit distribute food each day, Eikenberry said.

“Volunteerism is key to the success of our organization,” he said. “We are fortunate to have tremendous support from the community, including individuals, corporations, and other organizations, all of whom help us through volunteering. We could not fulfill our mission without these wonderful volunteers.”

Editor’s note: This company is a finalist for the Northwest Arkansas Outstanding Business Awards — Nonprofit Business category. Winners will be announced at a luncheon on April 9.