27 Oct 2010 Time to ‘step up’ again to fight hunger

Representatives of the magazine and foundation recently met at the 501 office to kick off this year’s campaign with the presentation of $2,500, proceeds from the endowment, to

Bethlehem House homeless shelter in Conway.

“We were thrilled with the support and interest that last year’s campaign generated,” said 501 LIFE publisher Sonja J. Keith. “We have already had a number of schools register for this year’s campaign.”

For two weeks – Monday, Nov. 1, through Friday, Nov. 12 – schoolchildren will once again collect money to support a permanent endowment fund to provide financial resources to assist Faulkner County agencies that provide hunger relief.

In addition, non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to the Bethlehem House.

On Friday, Nov. 12, the canned goods and money will be delivered to the 501 office in Downtown Conway.

Last year, 10,305 canned goods and other food items were collected and $10,000 donated.

This year, each team that collects a minimum of 500 food items and $500 will have their photograph published in 501 LIFE. There will also be special coverage of the team that collects the most money and canned food based on student enrollment.

Last year, Ruth Doyle Intermediate collected the most and was featured.

Julie LaRue, community director of the Faulkner County office of the Arkansas Community Foundation, approached 501 last year regarding a special hunger initiative and the endowment fund. “It is heartbreaking to learn how many of our neighbors struggle with hunger every day, right here in our community; with recent changes in our economy, hunger relief agencies have reported a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance,” said LaRue. “The beauty of an endowment fund is that it will provide income to hunger relief agencies each and every year, forever.”

Individuals, groups and businesses are also invited to participate in the campaign. (Please contact the 501 office for more information.)

For more information on the “Step up” project, please call 501.327.1501 or email [email protected].