FORREST CITY, AR – Country music star Jason Aldean took the stage April 18 for a rare, intimate, semi-acoustic performance at the UA-East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center, helping raise $172,912.30 to fight food insecurity across the mid-South.
The concert marked the eighth annual food bank fundraiser hosted by Greenway Equipment, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Arkansas Foodbank, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, and Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
With just over 1,100 seats available, the event delivered a uniquely personal experience for attendees, including a pre-show gathering and an on-site raffle of memorabilia. Singer-songwriter Neil Thrasher opened the evening, setting the tone for a night centered on both music and mission.
Those in attendance described the evening as especially meaningful, with Aldean’s stripped-down performance highlighting both his catalog of hits and the purpose behind the event. The setting allowed for a closer connection between artist and audience, reinforcing the community-driven focus of the fundraiser.
“This event continues to show what’s possible when our communities come together with a shared purpose,” said Bill Midkiff, CEO of Greenway Equipment. “Raising more than $170,000 in a single night speaks to the generosity of our customers, partners, and employees. Every dollar goes directly toward putting meals on tables for families across Arkansas and our broader region, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud to be part of.”
The annual concert builds on Greenway Equipment’s longstanding commitment to hunger relief. In 2025, the company surpassed $1 million in total donations to its partner food banks, a milestone that continues to grow with events like this year’s benefit.
Held on the campus of UA-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, the concert also underscored the importance of regional collaboration in addressing food insecurity—bringing together agriculture, business, and community leaders for a shared cause.
As food banks across the region continue to face increased demand, efforts like Greenway’s annual fundraiser provide critical support ensuring more families have access to the food they need. In Arkansas, the nation’s leading rice-producing state, this mission is closely tied to agriculture, with rice serving as an affordable, nutritious, and shelf-stable staple that helps food banks stretch resources and feed more families.