26 Sep 2009 ‘Stop Hunger’ Endowment created to help local agencies

The “Stop Hunger Endowment” has been created by the Faulkner County office of the Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF). A goal of $10,000 must be collected by Dec. 31 to receive $3,334 in matching funds. Proceeds from the endowment will go annually to local agencies like Bethlehem House, CAPCA and the Salvation Army.

“The beauty of an endowment is that it will continue to provide funding to local hunger agencies each year, forever,” said Julie LaRue, director of ARCF/Faulkner County. “We have a unique opportunity to build this fund now and receive matching funds, which effectively increases every contribution by one-third.” 

Eric Hutchinson, chairman of the ARCF/Faulkner County board, added, “One in six of our neighbors struggles with hunger every day, right here in Faulkner County.  September is Hunger Action Month, and we want to provide a way for people to step up to the plate and make a permanent impact toward relieving this problem.”

Hutchinson explained that citizens can help through making a tax-deductible donation, or organizations can hold fund-raisers to benefit the endowment campaign.

ARCF/Faulkner County exists to serve the community through grant-making, housing endowment funds and community leadership. It currently has 39 funds, and over $1.7 million in assets. It has granted over $400,000 back into the community since its inception in 2001.

In addition to Hutchinson, board members include Jerry Adams, Bo Conner, Susan DeBoard, Jamie Gates, Charlotte Green, David Grimes, Ted Manley, Joyce Miller, Charles Nabholz, Greg Pillow, Bobby Riggs, Bill Roberts, Ros Smith, Jan Spann, Ed Tyler, Charles Weaver and Ronnie Williams.

The Arkansas Community Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization serving donors, the nonprofit sector and the communities of Arkansas. It has the capacity to engage communities in a thoughtful exploration of critical issues and can help assemble the resources to implement solutions. 

Arkansas’ statewide community foundation has more than $104 million in assets and has provided more than $61 million in grants since it began operation in 1976.

Contributions to the Community Foundation are fully tax deductible. For more information, please contact Julie LaRue at [email protected] or any board member.