Over the Hill Gang from Ferncliff Builds 5 Picnic Tables for the StewpotQuiet hands. Big impact.
Every week, a faithful crew of retired volunteers—lovingly known as the Over the Hill Gang - gather in Ferncliff’s woodshop. With skill, laughter, and a deep love for giving
back, they build picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, preschool equipment, and so many of the wooden pieces that make Ferncliff feel like home. This week, their craftsmanship stretched even further into the community. David Gill, former Ferncliff Executive Director
and proud member of the Over the Hill Gang, delivered a truckload of handcrafted
picnic tables to The Stewpot on West Markham in Little Rock. Thanks to these lovingly built tables, diners at The Stewpot now have more places to sit, share a meal, and feel seen. Currently, when the diners pick up their lunches, they have to find somewhere to sit to eat their lunch. The tables were placed in a gated area behind the Salvation Army building. Now when the diners pick up their lunches, they will have a nice comfortable area to eat their lunches. Giving back takes many forms. For this crew, it comes in the
shape of wood, screws, friendship, and care.
We Will Miss You
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Nancy Howell, Stewpot Manager, is going to retire at the end of December 2025. Nancy has held this position for the last eight years as a volunteer without any renumeration. The Stewpot manager is
a volunteer leadership position, responsible for overseeing the daily operations, strategic direction, and community engagement of the Stewpot program. This individual is nominated by the board chair and approved by the Stewpot board, serving at the discretion of the board. The Stewpot manager holds a permanent seat on the board of directors and provides essential oversight to ensure the effective delivery of services to the community. With the appearance of the COVID virus,
the Stewpot Board seriously considered closing the Stewpot. Nancy came up with the idea of preparing sack lunches in the Stewpot dining room and carrying the lunches down to the church courtyard and serving the diners, Nancy was instrumental in the move of theStewpot from the First Presbyterian Church to the Salvation Army. Nancy, you will be missed by the Stewpot Board, the Stewpot volunteers and the Stewpot Diners.
Stewpot Hires Manager
An executive commitee appointed by Shirley Garlington, Stewpot Board Director, and consisting of Shirley Garlington, David Gill, Tammy Pflug and Charlie Frith, recently hired a Stewpot Manager to replace outgoing Manager, Nancy Howell. While Nancy performed this Job for 8 years as a volunteer, this new position will be a paid position and the new. individual will work sixteen (16) Hours a week. The Stewpot welcomes Michael Easley to the new position. Michael started November 17 and will work closely with Nancy through the end of December. Michael Easley has over 15 years of experience in the culinary field and much of it in central Arkansas. He’s been an Executive Chef at Red Moon Tavern, the Vault at 723 and Restaurant 1620. He has volunteered with Cooking Matters, teaching low-income participants about food preparations and making healthy choices. Recently he wasthe Chef Instructor at Food Jobs Work, instructing students in both technical food service and interpersonal skills. Michael operates the Little Red Wagon food truck and has a passion for serving people who need a hand up. Michael, along with his wife, Jessica and their children attend The Church at Pinnacle Mountain. He is excited about investing his skills and energy in Stewpot’s ministry.
Stewpot Serves Thanksgiving Feast
On Tuesday, November 25th, The Stewpot served a Delicious meal to the Stewpot diners. Employes from McDonald's - Palacios Enterprises.brought pies for dessert (Hot Apple Pies) and helped serve the meal.
The Thanksgiving Feast took place in our new seating area. Tablecloths and decorations of leaves and fresh fruit added a festive flair to the great food. The tables allow diners to visit with others as they share the meal.
Employes from McDonald's - Palacios Enterprises
Stewpot will Celebrate 50Years of Service in 2026
During 2026 Stewpot will mark 50 years of faithful service providing meals in downtown Little Rock "to all who enter." Through all these years, Stewpot has earned quite a legacy and reputation. It is rare to find a faith-based, volunteer-lead ministry that has continually been serving for five decades. The Board is discussing ways to use the whole year to affirm our past and look for new means of extending our efforts. We will keep you posted as plans develop.
Stewpot Board Tours Providence Park
Thanks to Errin Calhoun Stanger and Providence Park Homes for the tour riday, July 18 with Stewpot leadership and volunteers. Errin is the CEO of Providence Park. Providence Park is an innovative housing initiative aimed at providing ermanent, supportive, and sustainable housing to chronically homeless individuals in a community-driven environment. Emphasizing the importance of meeting basic needs to tackle homelessness at its core, this approach aims to
enhance quality of life, reduce societal costs, and foster a sense of belonging and stability for its residents. In partnership with Pulaski County and inspired by Austin’s Community First Village, Providence Park plans to house 400 tiny homes with full support services—medical, mental, dental—and income opportunities for central Arkansas’s chronically homeless. Providence Homes hope to have 10 homes built by the end of the year. Providence Park Homes is located at 6900 Green Rd, Mabelvale, AR 72103.
Celebrating One Year in Our New Home 
This month marks a significant milestone for Stewpot: our one-year anniversary at the Salvation Army Building. After spending nearly 50 years in the same location at the First Presbyterian Church, the idea of relocating brought understandable uncertainty. But now, looking back, the move has proven to be a year of growth, collaboration, and overwhelmingly positive change. From the very beginning, working alongside Majors Kenny and Julie has been both exciting and mutually beneficial. Their leadership and presence have made a lasting impression. They regularly stop by to greet both staff and volunteers, creating a warm and supportive environment. The Salvation Army has graciously welcomed us, even allowing us to use the boardroom for meetings, which has greatly enhanced our ability to organize and plan. One of the biggest joys of our new space has been the kitchen. It’s hard to overstate the delight of being able to prepare fresh cornbread, cinnamon rolls, and cobblers for our diners. The improved facilities have helped us better serve our community and made the daily work feel even more rewarding. An unexpected bonus has been the strong sense of teamwork with the Salvation Army staff. Whether it’s cleaning, unloading deliv eries, or taking on shared projects, inside and out, everyone is working toward a common goal: serving those in need with dignity and compassion. As we celebrate this first year in our new home, we’re filled with gratitude and hope. Stewpot looks forward to continuing this congenial and productive relationship with the Salvation Army for many years to come.
Salvation Army Perspective
Over the past year, The Salvation Army of Central Arkansas has been blessed to partner with Stewpot Ministries by opening our dining hall and kitchen for the daily lunch program. This collaboration has not only maximized the use of our building but has also trengthened our shared mission to serve those in need within our community. Together, we’ve seen lives touched
through a warm meal, a kind word, and the consistent presence of caring people. As Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” The staff and volunteers of Stewpot have been a joy to work alongside. Their dedication and compassion have been a blessing not only to the individuals they serve but also to our own team as we minister daily to those who come through our doors. We are truly grateful for this partnership and look forward to
continuing to serve side by side, bringing hope, dignity, and love to our neighbors in Central Arkansas.
Blessings, Major Kenny Igleheart
Stewpot Cookout
Executives from Arkansas Health & Wellness (AHW) met at the Salvation Army onFriday (the 6rh of June) to grill hamburgers and bratwurst for lunch for the Stewpot diners! Besides all the good stuff that goes with burgers and dogs (buns, relish, mayo, mustard, etc.), AHW provided an assortment of chips, soft drinks, and the always popular Little Debbie snack cakes. While the turnout was a bit lower than expected, the extras were kept by the Salvation Army for the weekend, so nothing got wasted! Arkansas Health & Wellness is an Arkansas Health Plan best known for its lines of business: Wellcare, Allwell, Ambetter, Arkansas Total Care and QualChoice of AR and is owned by St. Louis-based Centene Corporation.
The Cooks
The Food
Hamburger and Bratwurst with Condiments
Churches Making Donations to the Stewpot
The following List of chuches made donations to the Stewpot in 2024. If your church is not listed, you might want to check with the Financial officer in your church. CHURCH Christ Episcopal Church Park Hill Presbyterian Church Saint Mark's Episcopal Church Presbytery of Arkansas Trinity Cathedral Parish Grace Presbyterian Church Trinity Presbyterian Church Westover Hills Presbyterian Church Second Presbyterian Church
CHURCH
Christ Episcopal Church
Park Hill Presbyterian Church
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
Presbytery of Arkansas
Trinity Cathedral Parish
Grace Presbyterian Church
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Westover Hills Presbyterian Church
Second Presbyterian Church