The Mountain Home Food Basket remains open, but like many other local businesses and organizations, changes have been made in operating procedures in an effort to protect both workers and clients from possible COVID-19 exposure.
With the change, all food distribution is handled from the back door, with only board members and volunteers being allowed to enter the building, located at 1341 Eastside Centre Court in Mountain Home. Hours of operation remain from 10 until noon Monday through Saturday.
Those seeking food assistance should drive under the canopy at the rear of the building and wait in their vehicles until they are at the head of the line.
Once arriving at the head of the line, those with cellphones should call the number posted on the sign by the table. Clients without cellphones should use the horn of their vehicle to alert volunteers of their presence. A volunteer will step out momentarily, maintaining a safe distance, to obtain the necessary information. Once the individual is checked in, volunteers will pack the order and place the bags on the table by the door. After the volunteers return to the building, clients may load their food.
The Mountain Home Food Basket serves a limited area in and around the city. The organization accepts new clients at any time and will not refuse food to those making their first visit. However, those returning must meet certain conditions.
New clients must be approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the Arkansas Department of Human Services and provide food basket personnel with their benefits’ expiration date.
Clients must show photo ID and a recent piece of mail or other document showing current mailing address They must also provide name and birthdate for each person in the household (all must be included on the client’s SNAP account). In addition, clients must live within the Mountain Home Food Basket’s service area (map available at mountainhomefoodbasket.org). In general, the area includes Mountain Home, Midway, Lakeview, Clarkridge, Gamaliel and Henderson. Residents outside these locations should visit their closest local pantry in Gassville, Norfork, Yellville or Bull Shoals.
A person who is denied benefits may call 870-425-6902 for details about a board review process.
Clients of the Mountain Home Food Basket may request food once per calendar month. The items received will vary depending upon the size of the family and what is available. Clients with SNAP benefits automatically receive commodities, but the bulk of the distributed food comes from donations from the community or is purchased at local grocers and the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas.
A spokesperson for the food basket says in these extraordinary times of COVID-19, the food bank is keeping local agencies well-supplied with fresh produce, in addition to shelf items.
Tax-deductible donations to support the mission of the Mountain Home Food Basket may be made by visiting the donate page at mountainhomefoodbasket.org or by mailing a check to 1341 Eastside Centre Court, Mountain Home, AR 72653.
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