Governor’s Holiday Food Drive Collects Nearly 38,000 Pounds of Food for Arkansans in Need

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that her state agency-wide Holiday Food Drive collected an equivalent of 31,587 meals, all of which has been donated to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

This year's collections totaled 37,908.05 pounds, a 76.5% increase over last year's total of 21,472 pounds.

"Arkansans are some of the generous people you'll find anywhere, and this year's Holiday Food Drive collections show how willing they were to step up for their neighbors," said Governor Sanders. "Between gift-wrapping, cookie-baking, and busy holiday schedules, our state employees still took the time to give back and remember the true reason for the season. I'm thrilled by their generosity, leading to a more than 75 percent increase in food collected compared to last year"

"This food drive is a powerful example of how collaboration can make a real difference for families facing hunger," said Sylvia Blain, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. "By coordinating these donations and connecting them with our network of food bank members across the state, we can ensure this generosity reaches communities quickly and efficiently. We are grateful to Governor Sanders and state employees for stepping up to support Arkansans in need."

The Department of Corrections donated the highest total weight of food, contributing 9,259 pounds. The Department of Inspector General recorded the highest per-capita contribution, with 32.6 lbs. of food per employee. The Department of Shared Administrative Services was named Rising Star after increasing its total pounds collected by 1,422.2% over last year.

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