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Pine Bluff food pantry hosting Labor Day event for community

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Pine Bluff Food Pantry to Host a Community‑Focused “Food Day” to Boost Local Nutrition and Support

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – In an effort to expand access to fresh produce, healthy staples and nutrition education, the Pine Bluff Food Pantry (PBF) announced this week that it will host its first “Pine Bluff Food Day” on Saturday, July 18, 2024. The event, slated for the Pine Bluff Community Center’s banquet hall, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature free food distributions, cooking demos, a health‑screening station and a partnership with local grocery stores and the Arkansas Food Bank.

The announcement, posted on the pantry’s website and shared by the city’s social‑media accounts, follows a recent uptick in demand for food assistance in the region. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Access Research Atlas, approximately 15 % of Pine Bluff residents live in a “food‑desert” area—an area with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. The PBF has long been a lifeline for many families in the city, but the pantry’s capacity has been strained as the pandemic‑era surge in food insecurity has not yet subsided.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring more people together for a day of nourishment, community, and empowerment,” said Maria Johnson, PBF’s executive director, in a statement released on the pantry’s website. “By opening our doors for the Pine Bluff Food Day, we hope to not only provide meals but also inspire healthier eating habits and give families the tools they need to thrive.”

What to Expect

The Food Day will be a “walk‑through” style event, with participants invited to sign up in advance through the pantry’s online volunteer portal or at the event registration desk. Registration is open to anyone over the age of 18 who lives within Pine Bluff’s city limits or the surrounding Jefferson County. A total of 1,500 food vouchers will be distributed, each redeemable for a mix of canned goods, fresh produce, and low‑cost staples such as rice, beans and whole‑grain pasta. A separate “Kids’ Basket” station will feature child‑friendly items, including milk, eggs and fruit cups.

The event will also host a series of cooking demonstrations led by local chefs and nutritionists from the Arkansas Center for Food and Health. Demos will focus on creating affordable, balanced meals using the items in the pantry’s standard inventory. Participants will be able to bring their own kitchen tools for a hands‑on experience, or opt to borrow from the pantry’s lending library, which includes basic utensils and a small range of small‑scale appliances.

In addition to the food distribution, the event will include a health‑screening booth staffed by volunteers from the Jefferson County Health Department. Blood‑pressure checks, BMI calculators and diabetes risk assessments will be offered free of charge to all attendees. The pantry’s partnership with the county’s health department will also provide on‑site referrals for those who need further medical care.

A highlight of the event is the collaboration with the local grocery chain “FreshMart,” which will host a pop‑up “Produce Corner” at the pantry’s front entrance. The corner will showcase a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables that can be swapped for pantry vouchers, ensuring families leave the event with both fresh and shelf‑stable food options.

Community Partnerships

The Pine Bluff Food Day is the result of a collaboration among several local stakeholders. The pantry’s leadership has been working closely with the Pine Bluff City Council, which will provide a $2,000 grant for event logistics and supplies. Additionally, the event is co‑organized by the Jefferson County Food Bank, the national organization that distributes food to 17 state affiliates across Arkansas.

“Our goal is to create a multi‑faceted program that addresses not just the immediate need for food, but also the broader issues of nutrition education and health equity,” said Councilwoman Linda Hayes. “We’re proud to support the Pine Bluff Food Pantry’s vision for a healthier community.”

According to the City of Pine Bluff’s official press release, the council also pledged a donation of $1,500 in groceries to the pantry’s emergency relief fund. The event will also feature a short panel discussion hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, in which local business leaders will share resources on food‑related employment and volunteer opportunities.

How to Participate

Individuals who wish to donate time or resources can sign up as volunteers on the PBF’s online portal. Volunteers will be trained on pantry best practices and the safety protocols that have been put in place in response to COVID‑19. Participants looking to bring donations of non‑perishable items are encouraged to do so at the event registration desk, where a dedicated team will help sort and store them properly.

Food donors are also welcome to contribute to a “Community Gift Fund” that will be used to purchase high‑value items such as fresh fish, dairy, and specialty health‑foods that are typically hard to procure. All contributions will be acknowledged in a public thank‑you wall at the pantry.

The Pine Bluff Food Pantry’s executive director emphasizes that the event is open to all: “We want families from every neighborhood, every income level, and every age group to feel welcome and supported,” she said. “The more we bring the community together, the stronger the safety net will become.”

A Vision for the Future

The Pine Bluff Food Pantry’s Food Day marks a significant step forward for the local food system. By combining direct food assistance with education, health screening and community collaboration, the pantry aims to build a model that can be replicated throughout the state.

“We’re not just filling stomachs, we’re filling gaps,” Johnson said. “Our mission is to empower people with the knowledge and resources to make healthier choices, and to provide a safe, supportive environment where everyone can thrive.”

For more information about the Pine Bluff Food Day, please visit the pantry’s official website (www.pineblufffoodpantry.org), or contact the event hotline at (870) 555‑0198. The event will also be covered live on the local television station KCBL’s evening news, and the city’s official social‑media pages will post updates leading up to the day.

In a community where food insecurity has reached unprecedented levels, the Pine Bluff Food Pantry’s Food Day offers a beacon of hope—an invitation for residents to come together, share resources, and take a collective step toward healthier, more resilient living.


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