Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas state employees rallied during the holiday season to support families facing hunger, helping collect tens of thousands of pounds of food through a statewide drive led by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The Governor announced that the state agency-wide Holiday Food Drive gathered the equivalent of 31,587 meals, all of which has been donated to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance for distribution to communities across the state.
The annual effort saw a dramatic increase in participation and donations this year. State agencies collected a total of 37,908.05 pounds of food, representing a 76.5 percent increase compared to last year’s total of 21,472 pounds.
Governor Sanders praised state employees for their generosity and commitment during one of the busiest times of the year.
“Arkansans are some of the generous people you’ll find anywhere, and this year’s Holiday Food Drive collections show how willing they were to step up for their neighbors,” said Governor Sanders. “Between gift-wrapping, cookie-baking, and busy holiday schedules, our state employees still took the time to give back and remember the true reason for the season. I’m thrilled by their generosity, leading to a more than 75 percent increase in food collected compared to last year”
Donations support hunger relief statewide
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance will distribute the donated food through its network of food banks and partner organizations to ensure the contributions reach families in need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“This food drive is a powerful example of how collaboration can make a real difference for families facing hunger,” said Sylvia Blain, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. “By coordinating these donations and connecting them with our network of food bank members across the state, we can ensure this generosity reaches communities quickly and efficiently. We are grateful to Governor Sanders and state employees for stepping up to support Arkansans in need.”
Several state agencies stood out for their contributions. The Department of Corrections donated the largest total weight of food, contributing 9,259 pounds. The Department of Inspector General recorded the highest per-capita contribution, averaging 32.6 pounds of food per employee. Meanwhile, the Department of Shared Administrative Services earned the Rising Star designation after increasing its total pounds collected by 1,422.2 percent compared to last year.
Officials said the drive demonstrates the impact of collective action and highlights the willingness of public servants to support their communities beyond their daily duties. The food collected will help provide meals for families experiencing food insecurity, particularly during the winter months when demand for assistance often rises.
State leaders emphasized that the success of the drive reflects Arkansas’s strong spirit of generosity and community support. By working together, agencies and employees helped ensure that thousands of meals will reach households in need, reinforcing a commitment to caring for neighbors across the state.
