Photos courtesy of Food Bank of North Central Arkansas
As Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders has declared March School Breakfast Month in Arkansas, one local school district received some assistance to celebrate the declaration. Food Bank of North Central Arkansas CEO Jeff Quick, State Representative Jack Fortner and State Representative-Elect Jason Nazarenko served breakfast Friday morning to Yellville-Summit Elementary, Junior High and High School students.
During the activities, Nazarenko stated, “The whole program is great! Ensuring our students are being able to concentrate on their studies and not their stomach gives kids a head start on life.”
Quick, Fortner and Nazarenko also met with Yellville-Summit Superintendent Wes Henderson, school nutrition staff and faculty to discuss food insecurity and the importance of access to food within area school districts. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Arkansas is currently the nation’s top-ranked state in food insecurity. In addition, Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study estimates nearly 2,000 children in Baxter and Marion counties are considered food insecure.
Quick said in a statement, “Access to food in our schools plays a pivotal role in increasing attendance, paving the way for better grades and higher graduation rates. We’re thrilled with the work that Yellville-Summit is doing to ensure our students have access to the good nutrition they need to thrive. We’re equally grateful for the priority that Representative Fortner has placed on food insecurity during his time in office and look forward to working closely with Mr. Nazarenko on this important cause.
“Today’s event is an example of community leaders coming together to highlight significant issues faced by our neighbors, and the positive impact that can be made when communities collaborate to end hunger in our region.”
For more information about the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, call 870-499-7565 or go to foodbanknca.org.
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