IMPACT Meals receives donation to help feed local families

The Van Buren School District’s IMPACT Meals program recently received a gift of $3,386 to help provide food for area families. The donation came from an offering collected at the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service in November.

The event brings together churches from throughout the area for a special night of worship and giving thanks. Coordinated by the Van Buren Ministerial Fellowship, the service invites attendees to give an offering in support of a local or organization.

“We are incredibly grateful to all who gave to the Community Thanksgiving Service offering and to the Ministerial Fellowship for choosing IMPACT as this year’s benefactor,” said IMPACT Coordinator, Steve Davis. “These funds help ensure that local families don’t go hungry.”

Established in 2016, IMPACT Meals exists to provide “meals at critical times” for Van Buren students who may encounter food deficits at home. The initiative originally began by providing non-perishable grocery items to participants over extended breaks, including at Thanksgiving, the holidays, and Spring Break. The program now offers distributions nearly every month to families in need.

“One way we help set students up for success is by making sure they are fed and not coming to class hungry,” noted Davis. “IMPACT helps fill the gap when school is not in session.”

Individuals or programs interested in supporting IMPACT can provide monetary assistance or host food drives. Volunteers area also needed to pack groceries and assist with the distribution process. To learn more about IMPACT, call 479-474-7942 or follow @IMPACTMealsVB on Twitter and Facebook.

Pictured here are Doug Young, Pastor of Community Bible Church in Van Buren and Steve Davis, IMPACT Program Coordinator.