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While many families prepare to share a meal and exchange gifts over the holiday break, some families worry that they will not have enough food to put on the table.   Schools in Little Rock close for a two week winter vacation and many kids in our community rely on free breakfast and lunch at school.  Be Mighty Little Rock wants to help families know where to go to access a free meal. Participating locations offer free meals and enrichment activities for kids and teens 18 and younger.

Here is a map of the various sites offering meals for youth ages 18 and under. For more information please email Kay Kay at kderossette@cals.org.

On December 23rd, 26th, 27th, 30th-31st, January 2nd-3rd the following locations will serve meals:

• Williams Library located at 1800 Chester St.  
  • Meals from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center located at 4800 W. 10th St.
  • Meals from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• McMath Library located at 2100 John Barrow Road
  • Meals from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Rooker Library located at 11 Otter Creek Ct.
  • Meals from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• Dee Brown Library located at 6325 Baseline Drive 
  • Meals from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fletcher Library located at 823 N. Buchanan Street
  • Meals from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Terry Library located at 2015 Napa Valley Dr.
  • Meals from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Main Library located at 100 Rock Street 
  • Meals on floors three and four from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Millie Brooks Library located at 13024 AR-365 Wrightsville
  • Meals Monday and Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Nixon Library located at 703 W. Main St.  Jacksonville
  • Meals from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sanders Library located at 10200 Johnson Dr. Sherwood
  • Meals from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

The following libraries offer fun activities and meals on Saturday December 21, December 28, and January 4th:

• Williams Library
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Main Library 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

While many families prepare to spend Thanksgiving with family, some families worry that they will not have enough food to put on the table. Schools in Little Rock close for a week-long break for Thanksgiving and many kids in our community rely on free breakfast and lunch at school.  Be Mighty Little Rock wants to help parents and caregivers become aware of the different locations around Little Rock with fun activities and food for youth ages 18 and under. Meal sites offer educational or enrichment activities in addition to meals, which enables children to learn and stay safe when school is out. A big thank you to USDA meal sponsors: F.E.E.D. First USA and Equal Heart.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The following locations offer meals Monday through Wednesday

• Williams Library located at 1800 Chester St.  
  • Meals from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• FEED First located at 6124 Baseline Rd.
  • Lunch from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Whispering Hills located at 11500 Chicot Rd.
  • Lunch from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Spanish Jon Apartments located at 5001 W. 65th St.
  • Lunch from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Colonial Parc Apartments located at 5813 Baseline Rd.
  • Lunch from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Brandon House Performing Arts Center located at 3802 W 12th St.
  • Lunch from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center located at 4800 W. 10th St.
  • Meals from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• McMath Library located at 2100 John Barrow Road
  • Meals from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Rooker Library located at 11 Otter Creek Ct.
  • Meals from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• Dee Brown Library located at 6325 Baseline Drive 
  • Meals from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fletcher Library located at 823 N. Buchanan Street
  • Meals from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Terry Library located at 2015 Napa Valley Dr.
  • Meals from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Main Library located at 100 Rock Street 
  • Meals on floors three and four from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Millie Brooks Library located at 13024 AR-365 Wrightsville
  • Meals Monday and Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Nixon Library located at 703 W. Main St.  Jacksonville
  • Meals from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sanders Library located at 10200 Johnson Dr. Sherwood
  • Meals from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

The following libraries offer fun activities and meals on Saturdays

• Williams Library
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Main Library 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Here is a map of the various sites offering meals for youth ages 18 and under. For more information please email Kay Kay at kderossette@cals.org.

Print Flyer With Meal Info

Community members gathered to celebrate a successful summer for meal programs in Little Rock. The community members or “Be Mighty Heroes” make the magic happen, in that their organizations keep the lights on, make sure food is on the table, and offer more than a meal by providing fun, active, and educational ways for kids and teens to spend their summer days. Some of the sites even served meals on weekends too. While sponsoring organizations receive reimbursements for the meals, there are lot of other expenses that are not covered through the USDA reimbursements. A major help to many families was a new Be Mighty LR partnership with Rock Region METRO that allowed many families with transportation challenges to get to the meal sites where food was being served. CALS distributed 1,200 Be Mighty METRO passes that provided kids, teens, and caregivers unlimited rides on any Rock Region METRO Route from June 1-July 31 resulting in 16,792 rides.

Community Centers, Libraries, and non-profits were represented at the Be Mighty Heroes Luncheon on September 10, 2019. During the event, meal providers shared success stories, challenges, and discussed what type of support they would need going forward. Organizations were recognized for exemplary service and programming. One highlight for the Central Arkansas Library System was that meals sites served 50 percent more summer meals this year!

The following meal sites and meal providers were recognized for their service and programs.

Stephens Community Center- Most Fit Site

Southwest Community Center& Williams Library- Early Riser

Brandon House, Fab 44, and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School- Nutrition Know it All

War Memorial Splash Pad- Coolest Site

Dee Brown Library- Veteran Site

Terry Library & Little Rock Zoo- Rockin’ Rookies

Greater Second Care Center & Brandon House- Enrichment Programs

FEED First USA- Veteran Sponsor

Main Library, Williams Library, Children’s Library- Weekend Warriors

The following sites were not photoed but received awards: Eco Kidz Project-Sustainability, Equal Heart- Longest Summer Ever, and Little Rock School District- Nutritious & Delicious

Free summer meals give kids and teens energy to stay active when school is out. These programs also include educational and enrichment activities in addition to meals. This helps children learn and stay safe all summer long. Below is a map of the various sites in Little Rock offering FREE meals for youth ages 18 and younger. Summer Meals start June 3rd. Here is a list of meal sites open May 28-31st. For more information contact Kay Kay at kderossette@cals.org or call 501-918-3016.

Summer Meals Monday-Friday

• Bale Elementary School located at 6501 West 32nd Ave.
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Baseline Academy located at 3623 Baseline Road
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Dodd Elementary located at 6423 Stagecoach Road
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Geyer Springs Elementary School located at 5240 Mabelvale Pike Rd.
  • Breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
  • 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Hall High School located at 6700 H. Street
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 10:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Henderson Middle School located at 401 John Barrow Rd.
  • Breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• King Elementary located at 905 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• McDermott Elementary located at 1200 Reservoir Road
  • Breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Otter Creek Elementary School located at 16000 Otter Creek Pkwy
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
  • Lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Rockefeller Elementary & Early Childhood Center at 700 E. 17th St.
  • Breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
  • Lunch from 10:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
• Romine Elementary School located at 3400 Romine Road
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Stephens Elementary School located at 3700 West 18th Street
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Terry Elementary School located at 10800 Mara Lynn Drive
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Watson Elementary School located at 7000 Valley Drive
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• East Little Rock Community Center located at 2500 East 6th Street
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
• Dunbar Community Center located at 1001 W. 16th
  • Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Billy Mitchell Boys and Girls Club at 3107 W. Capitol
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Penick Boys and Girls Club at 1201 Leisure Place
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thrasher Boys and Girls Club at 3301 South State St.
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Whetstone Boys and Girls Club at 46 Harrow Dr.
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Little Rock Audubon Center located at 4500 Springer Blvd.
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Second Baptist Church located at 1709 John Barrow Rd.
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Club ECO Kids located at 6014 Forbing Rd.
  • Breakfast 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Greater Second Baptist Church located at 5615 Geyer Springs Road
  • Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the George Webb Family Life Gymnasium
  • Lunch from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
• F.E.E.D. First USA located at 6124 Baseline Road
  • Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Colonial Parc located at 5813 Baseline Road
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.
• Spanish Valley located at 5300 Baseline Rd.   
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• Whispering Hills located at 11500 Chicot Road
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• ABC Adolescent Center located at 1805 E. 22nd St.
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Fab 44 located at 1200 Bishop Warren Dr.  
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
• LRPD GEMS located at 6300 Hinkson Rd.
  • Breakfast 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Hunter United Church located at 5301 Romine Rd.  
  • Breakfast from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• Fab 44 located at 4200 John Barrow Ste B  
  • Breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Southern Pines located at 9500 S. Heights Rd.
  • Breakfast from 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Spanish Jon located at 5001 W. 65th Street
  • Breakfast from 9:40 a.m. to 10:05 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:15 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
• Rosewood located at 6600 Lancaster Rd.
  • Breakfast from 9:55 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Lunch 1:25 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Autumn Parc located at 43 Warren Dr.
  • Breakfast from 9:55 a.m. to 10:25 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:25 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
• My Sister’s Keeper located at 11700 Rainwood Suites A and B
  • Breakfast 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Lunch 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• . Moody Chapel located at 5630 Mabelvale Pike
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• West Central Community Center located at 4521 John Barrow Road
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Southwest Community Center located at 6401 Baseline Road
  • Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Spanish Willow located at 7510 Geyer springs Rd.
  • Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Williams Library located at 1800 Chester St.  
  • Breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
• War Memorial Park playground located at 5511 W. Markham St.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)
• Children’s Library and Learning Center located at 4800 W. 10th St.
  • Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Supper from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• McMath Library located at 2100 John Barrow Road
  • Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Rooker Library located at 11 Otter Creek Ct.
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Dee Brown Library located at 6325 Baseline Drive 
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Fletcher Library located at 823 N. Buchanan Street
  • Meals available from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Terry Library located at 2015 Napa Valley Dr.
  • Meal from 3:30 to 4:00 (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
• Main Library located at 100 Rock Street 
  • Meals on floors three and four from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Jim Dailey Fitness & Aquatic Center located at 300 South Monroe Street
  • Lunch on Fridays
• We Care of Pulaski County located at 3523 Slinker Road
  • Breakfast 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

ON SATURDAYS THE FOLLOWING locations OFFER FUN ACTIVITIES AND MEALS:

• Williams Library
  • Breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Lunch from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
• Bee Jewels Dance located at 8925 Gardner Rd. Ste D   
  • Lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Snack from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Main Library 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Need a ride?

Request a free Be Mighty METRO pass HERE!

Thank you

FREE summer meals are funded by the United State Department of Agriculture. Arkansas Department of Human Services administers the Summer Food Service Program with help from the following sponsors: Eco Kidz Project, Equal Heart, F.E.E.D. First USA, Greater Second Care Center, Moody Chapel, and We Care of Pulaski County. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Arkansas Department of Education administers the Seamless Summer program which funds the Little Rock School District’s summer meals. A big thank you to the Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock Parks and Recreation, Community Programs, and Rock Region METRO for their commitment to combating hunger in our city.

Get Involved

View all volunteer opportunities here!

We are excited to have you participate in the Be Mighty METRO program this summer. Passes are available for anyone 18 and under. In order to receive your METRO pass, you must return a signed Be Mighty METRO permission form. Riders 11 and under are required to ride with a caregiver. Free METRO passes will be provided for caregivers of riders 11 and under. Be Mighty METRO passes provide participants unlimited rides on any Rock Region METRO route from June 1 to July 31, 2019. Participants must wear their Be Mighty wristband and Be Mighty Lanyard when riding Rock Region METRO. For more information about Be Mighty Little Rock visit www.BeMightyLittleRock.org. Share your summer stories with us by posting pictures on social media tagging Be Mighty and #EatPlayLearn.

While many families prepare to go out of town for a week of vacation, some families worry that they will not have enough food to put on the table.   Schools in Little Rock close for a week long vacation and many kids in our community rely on free breakfast and lunch at school.  Be Mighty Little Rock wants to help parents and caregivers become aware of the different locations around Little Rock with fun activities and food for youth ages 18 and under. Meal sites offer educational or enrichment activities in addition to meals, which enables children to learn and stay safe when school is out. A big thank you to USDA meal sponsors: F.E.E.D. First USA, Equal Heart, and Moody Chapel. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The following locations offer meals Monday through Friday

• Children’s Library and Learning Center located at 4800 W. 10th St.
  • Snack from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Meal from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Moody Chapel located at 5630 Mabelvale Pike
  • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• West Central Community Center located at 4521 John Barrow Road
  • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Southwest Community Center located at 6401 Baseline Road
  • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Colonial Parc located at 5813 Baseline Road
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• My Sister’s Keeper located at 11700 Rainwood Suites A and B
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Spanish Jon located at 5001 W. 65th Street
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Spring Valley located at 8701 Interstate 30
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Whispering Hills located at 11500 Chicot Road
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• F.E.E.D. First USA located at 6124 Baseline Road
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Williams Library located at 1800 Chester Street
  • 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Fletcher Library located at 823 N. Buchanan  Street
  • 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Sidney S. McMath Library located at 2100 John Barrow Road
  • 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Main Library located at 100 Rock Street 
  • Meals on floors three and four from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Dee Brown Library located at 6325 Baseline Drive 
  • 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m

The following libraries offer fun activities and meals on Saturdays

• Williams Library
  • 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Children’s Library and Learning Center 
  • Snack from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (March 23rd only)
  • Meal from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Main Library 
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Here is a map of the various sites offering meals for youth ages 18 and under. For more information please email Kay Kay at kderossette@cals.org

It’s almost spring break and summer will be here in no time.  Summer fun in Little Rock means outdoor movies in the River Market, cooling off in the splash pads, and hiking or fishing in the natural state.  But summer brings new challenges for educators and others focused on hunger relief, because students lose access to school-provided food that may be crucial to their daily nutrition.  Little Rock School District is working to make sure that students who receive breakfast and lunch during the school year have access to those meals throughout the summer. 

Stephanie Walker Hynes is Little Rock School District’s Director of Child Nutrition. “To ensure students won’t lose access to needed meals during the summer months, Little Rock School District will open its doors in June and July for kids and teens 18 and under to drop in for breakfast and lunch at no charge” Hines said.

Instead of just serving meals in schools, the district is partnering with local organizations to serve meals in locations across Little Rock.  Some Little Rock families do not have access to transportation during the summer when school buses don’t run, so outreach will bring the meals for youth to sites within walking distance.

The Be Mighty Little Rock campaign is working with churches, non-profits, and community organizations to encourage them to open their doors this summer and serve meals to kids.  If your organization is new to the summer meal program, you can easily work with an existing partner such as the Little Rock School District.    

How meal service will work for participating partners:

The school district will cook and package meals onsite at a school kitchen.  Depending on how many students participate in your organization’s summer program, the district will transport an appropriate number of meals to your site (or someone from your organization may pick up the meals from a school kitchen identified by the district).  The district will provide training for any employees and volunteers working with the program. 

“We know that far too often, the only meals some children will get are those provided by the school system,” said Kathy Webb, Executive Director of the Hunger Relief Alliance. “Be Mighty Little Rock focuses on connecting children to meals year-round because no child should be hungry.”

Be Mighty appreciates the willingness of the LRSD to help by using their resources to expand summer meals for kids and teens in Little Rock!  We are stronger together.  With the help of local partners, our goal is to make sure every student has a place they can go for breakfast or lunch during the summer.

Organizations interested in partnering with the Little Rock School District to provide free summer meals for kids and teens 18 years and younger should contact the Child Nutrition Office at 501-447-2458.   The deadline to become a district-sponsored summer meal site is May 3rd. In May we will provide more details about sites and serving times.

Be Mighty is a campaign that connects kids and teens to meals. This week we are featuring U.S. Department of Agriculture summer meal sponsors.

Pamela Hill is the Director of the Eco Kidz Project which started in June of 2012. After Pam moved back to Little Rock from Los Angeles she wanted to learn about what was going on in the community. She was a former daycare center owner and knew she wanted to continue serving in some capacity. One day when Pam noticed a homeless man with two children, she was inspired to make an impact on kids and families in Little Rock.

“The man was living in a run-down hotel off Geyer Springs Road,” said Pam. “In our conversation, he revealed there were also other kids living in the hotel.”

Pam’s interaction with this man motivated her to learn more about food insecurity in Little Rock. Pam realized there were many kids in Little Rock without enough food to live an active, healthy life. She also learned that USDA would reimburse organizations serving meals to kids. With these two discoveries, Pam began the concept for what is now the Eco Kidz Project. Seven years later the organization serves over 1,000 meals each day to kids and teens across Little Rock. Pam says the kids get really excited about Barbeque Chicken day.

“I was at the Salvation Army when an employee approached me to thank me for what I did for him and his kids,” said Pam. “He was the man that inspired me to start the Eco Kidz Project. His kids were in school and he was working.” Pam’s face was beaming as she shared the story of crossing paths with the man that inspired her to start this project so many years ago.

The Eco Kidz Project is planning to have about 25 sites serving breakfast and lunch this summer. They have the capacity to take on two new sites. Organizations interested in becoming a meal site with the Eco Kidz Project should contact Pamela at 501-246-3197. Pam likes to meet the individuals and learn about their goals to make sure they are a good fit for the organization. After meeting and touring the new site to make sure it is a safe environment for kids and staff then the organizations enter an agreement. Eco Kidz wants to make sure the site has adequate space for the number of kids they anticipate serving. Organizations interested in becoming a site with the Eco Kidz Project should take action now. Arkansas Department of Human Services requests all information from sponsors by April 30th.

Nearly 61 percent of students in Arkansas receive school lunch at no cost. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) partners with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to administer the Summer Food Service Program. The City of Little Rock is urging schools, local government agencies, camps, faith-based organizations, and other non-profits to participate in the Summer Food Service Program. Making summer meals a community-wide initiative will increase students access to quality meals throughout the summer.

Meal sites may be located in a variety of safe and supervised settings, including schools, parks, community centers, hospitals, clinics, churches, and camps. To get started, talk with your organization and determine if you have the capacity to serve meals this summer.

There are two options for organizations interested in serving meals. The first option is to become a meal site under an established sponsor. Contact the Be Mighty Project Coordinator at kderossette@cals.org or call 501-918-3016 to obtain a list of established sponsors. The second option is to apply to sponsor meals through DHS. Sponsors have the option to prepare meals on-site or have a vendor supply meals for the program. Organizations that decide to sponsor a meal program need to submit an application to DHS by April 30th. DHS works with applicants to introduce them to the program, explain requirements, and assist with the onboarding process.

DHS will host an application training on March 5th. The morning session is from 9:00 am to noon. The same information will be available again in the afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Additional training will take place on March 25th from 9:00 am to noon. Training takes place at 5401 S. University Ave. contact the Department of Human Services at 501-682-8869 to register.