21 Sep 2014 Annual Harvest of Hope organizers seek help

The Seventh Annual Harvest of Hope Food Drive for the Conway County Care Center will culminate on Saturday, Oct. 25.  

The Conway County Care Center was established in 1988, when several churches and organizations got together to pool their resources to create one place for all donations and distribution. The center’s mission is “No One in Conway County Goes Hungry.”

The Care Center has continued to fulfill that mission through the years through grants and donations from individuals, churches, organizations and businesses.

In addition to food, the Care Center has provided gas and temporary housing for individuals and families with emergency needs, free clothing and other necessary items for Conway County residents who may have lost their homes to a fire, and in one special case, helped repair a vehicle for a family taking a child to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They also operate a thrift store located at 106 Broadway in Downtown Morrilton that receives donations of clothes, shoes, furniture, etc.

During 2013, the Care Center provided food, clothing and other services for 2,176 households for a total of 3,586 adults and 1,527 children in Conway County. They work in conjunction with the Morrilton Police Department, the Conway County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police and the Conway County Department of Human Services. The center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible.  

The Harvest of Hope Food Drive is the Center’s only solicited food drive of the year. Many activities are planned Oct. 25, including “Fill The Truck,” which is in its third year and provides a donation point to bring non-perishable food items.

Haynes Ace Hardware provides a large truck to transport donations to the Care Center. The truck will be set up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kroger parking lot, 1626 East Harding. The Conway County Emergency Management Team will be present with emergency vehicles on display. The Kroger Culture Council will feed employees and OEM personnel and will have hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase.  

Also, during the day, there will be donation points set up at various stores around Morrilton and Conway County, including Walmart, Harps and Kroger.

That night, the Seventh Annual Harvest of Hope Gospel Singing will be held at the Rialto Theater in Downtown Morrilton, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is a $5 donation or five canned goods for adults, and $3 or three canned goods for children ages 12-18. Admission is free for children under 12.

Volunteers are needed to help with “Fill the Truck” and with entertainment.  

Donations will also be accepted the week prior to these activities at the Conway County Care Center, 106 Broadway, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, Wednesday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 24.  Churches, businesses or organizations interested in participating should contact Leann Haynes at 501.354.1239, Raymond Chambers at 501.977.6842 or Brenda Huff at 501.354.1454.