BATESVILLE, Ark. — A community cereal drive is underway in Batesville this week as part of an effort to assist families served by the local nonprofit organization, Help and Hope. Batesville's P.E.O. Chapter DJ has organized the second annual cereal drive, which runs from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30, with a goal of collecting 600 boxes of new, unopened cereal. Last year’s drive collected just over 500 boxes.
Help and Hope, a longtime service organization in Batesville, provides food and clothing to 800 to 1,000 families each month, reaching more than 2,000 individuals. Arkansas ranks first in the nation for food insecurity, and Help and Hope has been working to address that challenge since opening in 1987. The nonprofit operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon and is staffed primarily by volunteers. Families using the service are allowed one visit per month and must meet income eligibility requirements and present photo identification.
Community members can make their donations at several designated collection sites, including the Independence County Library, Citizens Bank's main branch, First Community Bank's main branch, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville campus, FutureFuel Chemical Company, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and the Help and Hope office. Additionally, several local organizations, such as LaCroix Optical, UACCB, and FutureFuel, are encouraging their employees to participate through internal donation drives.
Residents with questions or those seeking more information about participating in the drive can contact Stacy Gunderman via email at stacygunderman@gmail.com or by phone at 870-698-5455.