29 Oct 2012 'Step Up' to feed the hungry under way
The 2012 “Step Up to the Plate” hunger campaign has kicked off but it’s not too late for schools, businesses and others to get involved.
For the fourth year, 501 LIFE and Arkansas Community Foundation/Faulkner County are teaming up to help fight hunger – now and for the future with the “Step Up to the Plate” hunger initiative.
From Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 9, schoolchildren in Faulkner County are being challenged to:
- Collect food for Bethlehem House, a homeless shelter in Conway that also operates a soup kitchen.
- Collect money to grow the Stop Hunger Endowment for Faulkner County, a permanent endowment that provides a grant to a Faulkner County hunger agency each year… forever.
So far, the endowment has produced three $2,500 grants – in 2010 for the Bethlehem House, and in 2011 and 2012 for the Soul Food Cafe’ Mission.
Donations will be brought to Bethlehem House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9.
This year, businesses and individuals are also invited to participate. “If you and your business would like to join us in fighting hunger in our community on a permanent basis, here’s your opportunity!” said Julie LaRue, executive director of Arkansas Community Foundation/Faulkner County. “As the endowment grows, so grows the amount available to grant out each year.”
Schools that collect 500 food items and $500 for the endowment will be featured in 501 LIFE. In addition, business or personal monetary contributions to the endowment from the community will be listed too.
Schools that have registered to participate include Ida Burns Elementary, Simon Middle School, Theodore Jones Elementary, Marguerite Vann Elementary, Julia Lee Moore Elementary, Ellen Smith Elementary, the Conway High HOSA (Health Occupation Sciences Association) Chapter and Central Baptist Dollege. Arvest Bank, First Security Bank and 10 Fitness are also participating.
Donations are fully tax deductible. Checks can be made to the Stop Hunger Endowment for Faulkner County, 1301 North Museum Road, Conway, AR, 72032. For more information, contact Julie LaRue at [email protected] or 501.932.0390. Information is also available at arcf.org by clicking on the Faulkner County button.
