Two media organizations joined together again Friday to collect a record amount of food and money the equivalent of 535,473 meals.
The Jonesboro Media Group (Saga Communications) teamed with KAIT-TV (Gray Television) to support the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas with the “Fill the Food Bank” event. The two media groups have sponsored Fill the Food Bank annually since 2008.
The organization serves as a distribution center for more than 100 local partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, special care facilities, and senior citizen centers in 12 counties throughout Northeast Arkansas.
The two media organizations drove awareness and promotion of the event during the month leading up to Friday’s event.
On Friday food bank staff and volunteers operated 14 different collection sites across the Northeast Arkansas area between 6am-6pm. The goal for this year’s event was 350,000 meals.
“We are thankful for the food collected this year,” said Christie Jordan, executive director of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. “This is a three-week supply of food for our operation. Demand for food is very high this time of year, but especially this year.”
The Jonesboro Media Group operates six radio stations and an online news website in the Jonesboro market. KAIT operates the ABC, NBC and CW affiliates in Jonesboro.
