There’s an increasing need for food in Eureka Springs and a pair of organizations — one regionally and one locally — have stepped up once again.
Answering the Call, a ministry of First United Methodist Church of Eureka Springs, has had a strong partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank to help provide essential food items to those in need in the area.
Now, that partnership has gotten even bigger.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10, the amount of food delivered by the food bank grew to 300 packages distributed on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, according to Bill Featherstone with Answering the Call.
“We had a relationship with Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and that relationship evolved in us being one of the their drop points,” Featherstone said. “They service a four-county area and their mobile pantry delivers food, most places once a month. We started at once a month but the demand for food was so high in Eureka that it surprised us, and I know it surprised them.
“That evolved to deliveries twice a month. Initially, when it was once a month, it was 200 food packages … then it went up to 300 packages and then it went to 200 packages twice a month. Now, it will be 300 packages twice a month.”
A package of food contains a type of meat, produce and a box of shelf-stable items, Featherstone said.
The mobile pantry pickup, which takes place at First United Methodist Church at 195 Huntsville Road, is set for 10 a.m., but usually happens before then based on when the food bank truck arrives for drop-off.
“It seems almost every Wednesday we run out of food well before the established time to pick up,” Featherstone said. “They’re delivering the food from Lowell and delivery time varies. We just start loading cars when they deliver the food.”
Everyone is eligible to receive the food, Featherstone said.
“We’re happy to announce that the quantity of food delivered moving forward will be increase so everyone who needs food for themselves and/or friends/ family/neighbors will be accommodated,” says a post on the Answering the Call Facebook page.
The organization’s goal to help get food to those who need it in the community started in April 2020 when meals were purchased and delivered to those who were sick or quarantined during COVID-19, Featherstone said. A partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank has strengthen the group’s mission, he said.
“They provide the food free of charge to us and what they’re bringing to Eureka Springs is substantial,” he said. “We’re very grateful for that. They’ve also been delivering to Berryville and Green Forest for quite some time.
“We’re proud to be in a partnership with them. They are so well run and provide such an amazing service to a four-county area. It’s mind-blowing how much food goes through their place and how much food is being distributed to Eureka Springs twice a month. It’s a cool thing.”
