Our Story

Not only is hunger unacceptable, but hunger hurts! Of course, we all know about hunger pains — they certainly hurt. But when people go hungry because their rent, utilities, medicine and even car expenses must come first, hunger also takes a physical and emotional toll. Hunger even has an economic impact as inconsistent food intake affects productivity, absenteeism and punctuality.

At the River Valley Regional Food Bank, we are driven by our core beliefs that hunger is unacceptable, that everyone deserves access to enough food, that food sustains life and nourishes health, and that we are called to serve neighbors in need without judgement.

The food bank had a humble beginning. Back in June 1986, the Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council recognized a need for a food bank to assist local hunger relief agencies. Steady growth has continued each year.

The food bank distributes 15 million pounds of food annually to families in need across the River Valley.

Where We Are Today

The food bank serves eight counties in West Central Arkansas. We source the most nutritious foods we can find and provide that food to about 100,000 people in the area. A total of nearly 150 member agencies create a far-reaching network of food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, churches and nonprofit groups that get food to people in need of assistance.

The food bank is one of 200 national Feeding America food banks and one of six food banks in the state in the Feeding America. The River Valley Regional Food Bank is also one of Arkansas’s six food banks that are connected through the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, as well as one of the Alliance’s founding board members. The food bank is also a proud member of United Way of Fort Smith and a program of the Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC).

Our Mission & Vision

Our MISSION To solicit, store and distribute food and related products through a network of private, not-for-profit organizations while providing service programming that feed and assist those in the River Valley in need and raising public awareness about hunger and food banking’s role in alleviating it.

Our VISION is a hunger-free West Central Arkansas and a community prepared and ready to respond to and recover from manmade, terroristic or natural disasters.

Our Values

Respect towards all
Provide with grace
Integrity matters
Serve with passion and conviction
Stay accountable to the community
Embrace diversity
Remain good stewards of all that is gifted