In an effort to help address food insecurities in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season, Startup Junkie Foundation is launching a month-long food drive initiative to benefit the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Through the initiative, dubbed Entrepreneurs Give Back, the Foundation will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items at its office in downtown Fayetteville.
“The Northwest Arkansas venture community is a very giving one,” said Startup Junkie Foundation Executive Director Caleb Talley. “Whether it’s giving of their time, knowledge, or resources, I’ve seen the impact our area entrepreneurs have on each other and the rest of this growing community. So, we wanted to invite them to join us in giving to those in need this holiday season through this food drive.”
In Arkansas, 499,950 people are facing hunger. Of those, 149,670 are children which amounts to approximately one in every five children. Arkansas has led the nation on more than one occasion in food insecurity.
“Entrepreneurs come from all walks of life, all backgrounds,” said Talley. “That person who’s dealing with difficulties today, who’s food insecure this month, they could very well be a thriving small business owner this time next year. If we can help an individual meet a need in their own life today, perhaps they can help meet a need in our community through entrepreneurship later.
“While it may not seem like much, we hope that this effort will also help us build bridges within our community to those who we might be able to better serve as entrepreneurs or small business owners in the future.”
The Startup Junkie office is located at 1 E. Center Street, in Suite 276 of the Pryor Center, in downtown Fayetteville. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and food drive donations can be left at a drop box during those times. Everyone is welcome to drop off items for the drive, whether they be clients coming in for a consulting meeting or neighbors.
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