The Community Matters coalition of non-profit and faith-based organizations providing services to residents of Newton County is offering administrative support to the Newton County Christian Food Room to apply for a grant from the state. The goal is to be able to purchase a lot and build a new community food pantry.
Several Community Matters Leadership Team members are working on different aspects of the project.
The organization's membership is investigating possible locations for a building.
Arkansas provides several grant opportunities to support food pantries and organizations fighting food insecurity. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance offers the State Food Purchasing Program and Alliance Grants, which provide funds for capacity building, including purchasing equipment like refrigerators and freezers. Additionally, the Arkansas Community Foundation offers grants for accessing local foods. The Community Assistance Grant Program also provides funding for programs that improve quality of life for Arkansans, which can include food assistance initiatives.
Last May Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, announced the Community Assistance Grant Program to fill funding gaps for projects that reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize communities. The Community Assistance Grant Program allows eligible applicants, such as community-based nonprofits and cities, to apply for up to $1,500,000 per fiscal year to support programs that increase Arkansans’ quality of life. Funding through the Community Assistance Grant Program supports projects that fight childhood food insecurity, address unemployment, promote education, offer resources for victims of crime, and provide housing, nutrition, or emergency services to promote self-sufficiency and revitalize communities. Arkansas can further support the great work of its non-profit organizations like food banks, foster care support, crime victims’ advocacy, and more – the definition of the “neighbors helping neighbors” mentality that defines the state, the governor said.
The application period is open through July 31. Funding awards are expected to be announced in early Fall 2025.
Applicants will be required to match grant awards with cash, in-kind labor, or in-kind land. Match amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis during the application review process.
Community Matters members are also assisting the county task group involved in expanding broad band service in the county. Internet service providers have an opportunity to apply for up to nearly $40 million to connect over 5,000 locations in Newton County. There is federal funding available through ARConnect. Application filing period was July 7-14.
Community Matters would like area youth to take an interest in joining the coalition. Emily Willis, a counselor at the Jasper High School and Bailey Taylor, director of the Partnership in Prevention's Drug Free Community Program, are being asked to recommend local students who might be interested in being a youth representative to Community Matters.
Coalition members are also reminded to involve youth as much as possible in their organizations' activities including meetings, events and service projects.
The next regular Community Matters meeting is set for Thursday, July 24, at the Jasper Methodist Church. The meeting begins at 10 a.m.
