02 Aug 2011 First Security hosts food drive

During the summer, hunger can be an issue for young people who rely on free or reduced school lunches. Thankfully, First Security Bank has stepped up to help.

Employees and customers at First Security in Faulkner and Van Buren counties are donating “kid friendly” items for distribution at local food banks, according to Margaret Smith, vice president for marketing at First Security.

This is the first year for the bank to conduct the food drive, which was inspired by a similar effort last summer by First Security locations in Northwest Arkansas. “Our markets across the state share ideas for events and community volunteerism, that’s how we became interested in doing a drive here,” she said.

First Security bankers learned that local food banks were trying to help schoolchildren during the summer and wanted to help. In addition, they discovered that food supplies were running low at the food pantry at the Bethlehem House, a Conway homeless shelter.

Last week, bankers delivered a truckload of food to Bethlehem House and Soul Food Café. Next week, donations will be taken to CAPCA (Community Action Program for Central Arkansas) and the Boys and Girls Club. Donations in Van Buren County have benefitted Dove House, Van Buren County Food for Life and the Choctaw Food Bank.

Suggested items to donate include single-serving juice boxes/pouches, microwavable popcorn and individual boxes/serving size of cereal, fruit, pudding, soup, macaroni and cheese and other food items.

The drive, which started mid June, will run until school starts Monday, Aug. 15. Donations can be dropped off at any First Security location in the two counties. Smith said items can even be donated through drive-thru lanes at the banks. Smith considers the food drive a success, with a good response from both employees as well as customers. “We’ve seen donations pick up as we’re getting closer to going back to school.”