Christmas Comes Early to the Little Rock Stewpot

Cathy May from the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance distributed 72 gifts cards in the
amount of $25 each, good at every Edwards Food Giant and Cost Cutter store. The
City of Little Rock, partnering with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (AHRA)and
others, launched the Little Rock Cares program to provide grocery gift cards to
residents facing food insecurity, especially during SNAP benefit freezes, using
donations to buy discounted cards from Edwards Food Giant for distribution through
AHRA and the Arkansas Foodbank to eligible families. Ward 3 City Director Kathy
Webb explained: “Nobody knows the food pantries and the charitable network
in Little Rock better than the teams at the Arkansas Foodbank and the Arkansas
Hunger Relief Alliance. Their SNAP teams work with individuals who access those
food pantries, and that is why we will be able to use them as distribution points,
because they know the people who are going without.”

Additionally, Little Rock Stewpot received 72 bus passes for 10 rides each. Donated
by Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Mission Outreach committee, the passes are like
gold to our diners. Trinity has been a long-time strong supporter of the Stewpot
mission providing both man power and financial support. The gift cards and bus

passes mean our diners have a ride to the grocery store where they can buy
nutritious food of their choosing.

Yet another blessing arrived Wednesday morning. Stephens, Inc. dropped off two
Petit Jean hams and two big turkeys. These meats were served at our Christmas
Feast Thursday December 18. Stephens, Inc. has given us this wonderful gift for
several years now. We continue to be grateful for their support.