Jonesboro Business Donates $22,000 to Combat Childhood Hunger in Northeast Arkansas

A Jonesboro business is stepping up to address childhood hunger in Northeast Arkansas with a $22,000 pledge for local school district programs. Swept Away Janitorial announced Tuesday that it will contribute $12,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas to fund backpack programs for students in the Marion, Riverside, and Pocahontas school districts. Additional funding will support similar programs in Trumann, Harrisburg, Westside, and Brookland school districts.

The backpack program supplies students with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food that they can take home over weekends and during school breaks, when school meal services are unavailable. This initiative aims to ensure that children can focus on their education without the burden of food uncertainty.

This marks the second consecutive year Swept Away Janitorial has partnered with local school districts to support these vital programs. The ownership team, consisting of Ernesto Saucedo, Ana Saucedo, Cirilo Yanez, Karen Fernandez, and Kevin Munoz, emphasized their commitment to the community in a joint statement.

“Our success is measured by more than the buildings we clean. It’s measured by the impact we make in the communities we serve,” the owners said. “We believe it takes a village to raise the next generation. No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Students should be able to focus on learning, growing, and achieving their dreams because they are the future of our communities.”

By bolstering backpack programs, Swept Away Janitorial aims to help bridge the gap for families experiencing food insecurity. The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, among the organizations benefitting from the donation, coordinates several initiatives to combat hunger in the region. Their partnerships with school districts ensure food reaches students who need it most.

Swept Away Janitorial's continued support highlights the role of businesses in fostering community well-being and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing critical local needs.