After businesses laid off workers due to the coronavirus, many families are struggling to make ends meet. At the branch in Prescott, Arkansas, Farmers Bank & Trust employees volunteered with the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) to pack and distribute food and household items for Nevada County residents that have been affected financially.
“Many hands make light work,” Farmers Bank & Trust Data Clerk Helen Hunt said. “Teller Lupe Pettit and I worked in an assembly line packing things like sugar, flour, peanut butter, pancake mix, crackers, etc. We ended up packing and stacking 300 boxes within 30 minutes.”
Hunt said there was another group focusing on packing items like potatoes, beans, soup, macaroni and cheese, and cereal. By the time they all completed their tasks, 600 boxes were ready to be distributed to needy families.
Hunt and Retail Banker Niki Morris went back the next day to help distribute items. Along with the two boxes of dry goods, Hunt said families also received a large box of frozen foods like chicken, turkey, and vegetables weighing a total of 50 pounds.
The response was overwhelming. All 600 boxes were distributed within two hours.
“It is so important to volunteer right now because things have changed drastically over the past few months,” Farmers Bank & Trust AVP Retail Loan Officer Lauren Brown said. “As a community, we need to rally together and support one another in any way we can. I’m proud our employees were able to play a part.”
If you’re interested in donating your time, call 501-315-1121 to speak to the CADC staff about volunteer opportunities.
