Brookland Public Schools has officially launched a drive-thru food pantry to assist families in the community. The pantry, located at 115A S. School St. across from Brookland Junior High, opened Tuesday morning after a successful trial run earlier this year.
The pantry provides food and supplies to families with children 18 or younger enrolled in the Brookland district. Superintendent George Kennedy said 22 families were served during Tuesday’s two-hour operation, which ran from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Moss, who helped spearhead the initiative, said the project was prompted by a clear need within the community. "What we found was that our need was greater than that … we had families who were being underserved," Moss said.
The venture gained momentum thanks to fundraising efforts by students and staff at Brookland’s primary, elementary, and intermediate schools, collecting $7,000 for the cause. Additional support came from the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, Hytrol, and Swept Away, allowing the pantry to operate at no cost to either the school district or the community.
Previously, counselors distributed prepared food bags to students, but the new pantry offers parents opportunities to pick up fresh ingredients and nutritious foods to prepare full meals for their families. Moss said this shift provides more long-term benefits and flexibility for families.
Michelle Eversoll, a single mother of two boys, shared how the pantry has eased the strain on her budget. "I’m just barely above the [poverty] margin and I don’t get any kind of assistance because I make just enough that it puts me over the margin," Eversoll said. "This really helps."
The convenience of the pantry’s location is another advantage for families. Irma Ward-Barr, a stay-at-home mother of four, said the drive-thru helps her save both time and gas money. "In like three hours, my daughter will be getting home early for parent-teacher conferences," she explained, outlining the packed schedule she manages on a single income. "Being able to get food nearby fits into my day much better."
The food pantry has two remaining distribution dates scheduled before the end of the year: Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, both from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Families can find additional updates on the Brookland Public Schools Facebook page.