 Potluck rescued its first pound of food in 1989.  |
Potluck was formed by a group of energetic individuals who couldn’t understand how anyone could be hungry when there was so much good food going to waste and came together to do something about it by creating an organization to link those that have too much food, with those that have too little. In 1989, with a start-up grant from the Junior League of Little Rock, Inc. – and headquartered in a small room in a homeless shelter – Potluck hired its first executive director, a driver – and with a pre-owned, refrigerated truck donated by Tyson Foods, Inc. – collected over 6,000 pounds of excess, un-served food from several restaurants that was distributed to a handful of organizations that served meals on site in Little Rock. Today, our “fleet” of 3 tucks rescue a wide variety of food from hundreds of food service businesses so we can distribute over 4 million pounds of food a year – more than 83,000 pounds of food a week – to a broad and diverse and rapidly growing network of community food programs – children’s programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and more – throughout central Arkansas and the state that help at-risk men, women, children and the elderly with their next meal. Even though Potluck looks far different than it did twenty years ago, one thing remains unchanged – all food – donated and/or purchased – is distributed free of charge to organizations feeding the hungry. The organization’s founding mothers, fathers and others believed then – and still do now – that an agency’s ability to receive food/services without charge is essential in helping them maximize limited resources to better serve their own important missions. As we mark our 20th year of service, in what is proving to be one of the most challenging years since Potluck’s start up in 1989, we count on the steadfast determination to do good, that moved ordinary people to act twenty years ago, still moves them to do so today. We thank you for your generous support that’s allowed us to increase our ability to help at-risk Arkansans by expanding food recovery, distribution, outreach and developing one-of-a-kind, effective programs that continue to help vulnerable children and families meet the most basic of needs. As always, we count on your support, as are others, who count on ours. Carol Herzog EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Being Hungry Doesn't End When School Does
Potluck’s KIDS’ PANTRYis Arkansas’ only out-of-school meal program exclusively developed to ensure youngsters at-risk have the opportunity to receive good food for meals when school is not in session – after school, over the holidays and during the summer – 50 weeks a year. On average, sites each receive over 780 pounds of a wide variety of food a week – meat and/or meat dishes, vegetables, side dishes, fresh fruit, salads and more – making it possible for children to take home food to share with their families during the week and/or over the weekend. With site directors expecting 1,500 to 2,300 additional children at their tables this summer, the PANTRY will help feed over 7,000 children in 2009 at locations throughout the four corners of Pulaski County – and in un-served communities of Miller, Union, Chicot and Ouachita counties. For more information about the KIDS’ PANTRY, call Potluck at 501.371.0303. Photographs by Nancy Nolan Photography |
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