Children are Hungry after School; the Food Bank is Feeding Them

Hundreds of volunteers are working across the state to feed hungry families. We're getting a glimpse at the fruits of their labor tonight.

KARK 4's Bakari Savage has more on how they're helping "4 the Greater Good."

We know our state leads the nation in childhood hunger. But the Food Bank of Arkansas is trying to end that. It happens through community outreach at centers and programs like Kids Cafe.

"It's the same kids coming, and they're always hungry," explains Dalton Boys & Girls Club's Lafal Norris. The Club's director, Jason Lanier, adds, "Kids that come in here and they're looking for a bite to eat."

School's out and for 200 Little Rock students and the kids cafe at the Dalton Boys & Girls Club is a welcome sight. For at least 50 of them, this is the last meal they'll eat before bed. Lanier says, "There is a percentage of our kids that don't get a chance to go home and get a quality cooked meal."

Arkansas leads the nation in the number of kids going hungry. Norris feels the economy is adding to the problem. She says, "People are still getting laid off from jobs. It's hard to find jobs. We're all struggling and trying to make ends meet. And sometimes we just don't have those resources."

And for those parents and children, the hope that the Kids Cafe offers can be seen immediately. Norris exclaims, "It definitely makes them happy. The children, they come in and they know they're going to get some food."

This is just one program that the Arkansas Food Bank Network supports to help end childhood hunger. Maintaning this takes more than $1,000 in food every month.

That's something program director Jason Lanier says they can't do without. He explains, "I think that's the kicker. That's the one that gets us over the hump in terms of being able to supply the kids with food."

The Arkansas Food Bank Network spends almost $15,000 a month to support programs like Kids Cafe throughout the state. Kroger will help you do your part "4 the Greater Good" by giving you the option to make a cash donation when you check out. You'll still have the chance to donate food, just place a canned good in the box.