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Sep 14, 2018
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Yesterday, the Arkansas rice industry donated 134,000 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank in recognition of September Hunger Action Month as well as National Rice Month. The generous donation will provide more than a million servings of rice to help feed families, children, and seniors across the state.
Participating rice mills were Cormier Rice Mill of DeWitt, Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro, Riceland Foods of Stuttgart, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle, Golden Ridge of Wynne, and Specialty Rice of Brinkley.
"The Arkansas rice industry is committed to being good stewards of our resources and helping to alleviate hunger in our state," said Arkansas Rice Council President Jeff Rutledge. "We take great pride in our partnership with the Arkansas Foodbank and appreciate their efforts to feed our hungry neighbors."
This rice donation will go into weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors, and will fill the shelves at food pantries for families in need.
"For so many Arkansans, rice is an important staple item on their dinner table," says Arkansas Foodbank CEO Rhonda Sanders. "With one in six in our state struggling with hunger, today's generous gift from the Arkansas rice community will ensure that our neighbors in need can enjoy many meals to come with their families."
The donation followed a ceremony at the State Capitol where Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered a proclamation officially declaring September as “Rice Month.”