As the government shutdown approaches one month, Little Rock leaders are asking residents to help federal employees who are furloughed or working without pay.
Little Rock Cares, a two-day citywide donation drive to benefit federal workers, is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. The City of Little Rock, Clinton National Airport, Arkansas Food Bank, and Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance are behind the effort.
“There are many lives traditionally, whether there's a shutdown or not, that experience living a life of living from paycheck to paycheck. That's only worsened when you have the government shutdown,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said.
About 7,000 federal workers in Arkansas are either furloughed or working without pay, Scott said.
“While we typically have hundreds of thousands of Arkansans who struggle with hunger, that’s always exacerbated in times of disaster,” Kathy Webb, executive director of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and city director for Ward 3, said. “With the shutdown and furlough of federal employees we have over 500 Little Rock residents who are struggling to make ends meet, who are struggling to put food on the table,” she said.
Items will be collected at sites across the city on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Drop-Off Locations:
- Arkansas Food Bank - 4301 W 65th Street
- Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance - 1400 W Markham Street
- Clinton National Airport - 1 Airport Road
- First United Methodist Church - 723 Center Street
- NW Division Little Rock Police Dept. - 10001 Kanis Road
Items Needed:
- Low sodium canned vegetables
- Low sodium canned soup and canned chili
- Canned fruit packed in water
- Peanut butter
- Rice
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Canned chicken
- Applesauce (not in glass containers)
- Shelf stable milk
- Dry or canned beans
- Pasta
- Crackers or cereal (whole grain preferably)
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Baby food
- Gift cards to grocery stores
- Gift cards to gas stations
- Hygiene products
- Feminine products
- Toilet paper
- Dog food
- Cat food
Additional information can be found on the airport's website or on the Little Rock Care event Facebook page.