For nearly four decades, the Mountain Home Food Basket has served as a lifeline for families facing food insecurity in Baxter County.
Founded in September 1985, the all-volunteer nonprofit began operations to fill a gap in food assistance for rural residents. In its first year, it filled 1,305 requests and distributed over 52,000 pounds of food.
Volunteer Cheryl Newman tells KTLO News more on what the Food Basket does in the community.
Newman describes the qualities that first attracted her to spend her time with the organization.
Listen:
The organization faced a major setback in 2003 when a fire destroyed its building, along with all food, equipment and supplies. Thanks to overwhelming community support, operations resumed quickly.
In 2009, the Food Basket expanded services by distributing USDA commodities, significantly increasing its reach. By 2010, the nonprofit was serving more than 400 families per month and had distributed over 70 tons of food to more than 10,000 individuals that year alone.
There are a number of volunteers today with 3-5 serving the facility six days a week. The organization is governed by a volunteer board that meets monthly.
When asked what she would hope residents would do after discovering the organization, Newman gives a detailed response.
Listen:
The Mountain Home Food Basket is open Monday – Saturday from 10 to noon. For more information or to volunteer, call 870-425-6902.
This month, Our Community Cares, sponsored by H&R Block, Farmers & Merchants Bank, and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot recognizes the Mountain Home Food Basket and its work to help those in the community with food insecurities.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI