Last week, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Policy experts spoke with residents about how state and federal budget decisions can affect programs that families rely on. Ozarks at Large’s Sarah Laiche reports.
Dozens of people gathered at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank to discuss what’s at stake when it comes to protecting access to food and nutrition for the community, including Arkansas moms. Laura Kellams is the Northwest Arkansas director for the organization Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. She says food insecurity remains a serious issue in Arkansas.
“Arkansas has the highest hunger rate in the nation, and recent data has shown us that maybe the hunger rate is even higher than we thought it was. So this service is so essential. What’s happening in this building is so essential. And also what’s happening regarding public policy around food is also essential.”…