Thanksgiving Day demands strain food banks in Arkansas

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Food banks in Arkansas say they often run short on food and donations during the holidays, a time when many low-income Arkansans families need assistance.
     The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Arkansas first in severe hunger and overall hunger. The National Foundation to End Senior Hunger ranks the state first in senior hunger and Feeding America ranks Arkansas third in child hunger.
     Rhonda Sanders, chief executive officer of Arkansas Foodbank: United to Fight Hunger, says a significant number of Arkansans aren't always able to provide their needs. Sanders says 61 percent of the families they serve have worked in the last year, but with heating bills and holiday expenses people often have a higher need.
     Arkansas Foodbank serves 33 of the state's 75 counties.