TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service), 1000 Townsend Drive, will give away food April 8 at 10 a.m.
TOPPS will use the drive-through method for the distribution. Food will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must present an ID. Each household is allowed to receive one box of food. People must be present to receive a box, according to a news release.
Sponsors include Tyson Foods, Super 1 Foods, Arkansas Food Bank, Arkansas Hunger Alliance, Pine Bluff Community Foundation, Project MP3, Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Canaan Christian Center, the apostle Craig Banks and pastor Sheryl Banks, and TOPPS’ private donors.
TOPPS is a community-based non-profit organization. Annette Howard Dove is the founder/director of TOPPS Inc. Details: (870) 850-6011.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Christian Women’s luncheon set
The Christian Women’s Connection will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Everyone is invited to attend.
The speaker will be Laura Singleton of Bella Vista discussing “Remember Her?” Singleton relates the times in her life when she looked back yearning for what was in the past, according to a news release.
“As a young widow with two children, her sense of adventure led her to the man who would later become her husband. More importantly, Jeff would show Laura the way to a personal relationship with Jesus. She gives a very clear presentation of the Gospel,” according to the release.
The luncheon costs $20, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance. You will be charged for reservations not kept.
VA sets virtual claims clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. April 24. To reserve a time slot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. April 23, according to a news release.
Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. Staff will answer questions about existing VA benefits claims and assist with filing new claims. Details: http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Area Agency sets bass tourney April 12
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will conduct is 27th annual Reeling for Meals Bass Tournament April 12 at Regional Park – Arkansas River.
The tournament will be held from dawn to 3 p.m. The entry fee is $110 per boat and includes the $500 Big Bass. There’s a $2,500 cash guaranteed to first place. Guaranteed cash to the top 10 places. There’s a $15 late fee for pay at the ramp.
Entry fee includes two tickets to the fish fry hosted by King Kat at the Waterfront building. Beverages by M.K. Distributors Inc. The first 75 teams to register will receive T-shirts, donated by Arkansas Printing.
The presenting platinum sponsors are Foster Towing, Midtown Tire & Auto, and Simmons Bank. Details: Area Agency on Aging, (870) 543-6300 or sstichert@aaasea.org or lbland@aaasea.org or www.aaasea.org.
Senior citizens menu set
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
April 7 — BBQ with bun, baked beans, cole slaw, hot applesauce, and milk.
April 8 — Cheesy salsa chicken, corn salad, broccoli, banana cake with glaze, and milk.
April 9 — Baked ham, holiday sweet potatoes, green beans, wheat roll, fruited Jell-O, and milk.
April 10 — Chopped steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, bread, fruit, and milk.
April 11 — Broccoli and cheese soup, sliders with ham or turkey, spring mix salad with dressing, apricots or tropical fruit, and milk.
Dialoguing With Delta event April 26
Dialoguing with Delta, the annual educational activity for elementary to college age students, is happening April 26 at 10 a.m. in the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Building Auditorium on campus.
This session is all about “Real Talk, Real Life: Addressing Issues Facing Today’s Youth,” according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
The session will be presented by the Pine Bluff Alumnae and Delta Eta chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., in collaboration with the UAPB School of Education. Registration is open for individuals and groups. Details: https://forms.gle/hYF7saamk6Nw4Mck7.
FBT plans ribbon cutting at PB schools
FBT Bank & Mortgage will hold ribbon cutting ceremonies for its two new in-school banks. The ceremonies will take place on Friday at 11:15 a.m. at Forrest Park/Greenville Preschool, 2501 W. 10th St., and at noon at James Matthews Elementary School, 4501 Dollarway Road.
The in-school banks will provide students with a hands-on learning environment where they can open savings accounts, make deposits, and gain an understanding of financial responsibility at an early age. Through this initiative, FBT Bank aims to equip students with life-long financial skills while fostering a culture of saving and smart money management, according to a news release.
“We believe that financial literacy is a critical life skill that should be nurtured from an early age,” said Jim Hulse, FBT CEO. “By establishing these in-school banks, we are giving students the opportunity to learn practical financial habits that will serve them well into adulthood. We’re excited to partner with Forrest Park and James Matthews Elementary Schools to bring this vision to life.”
LaTasha Randle, director of community outreach for FBT, emphasized the bank’s mission to engage and empower the community through education.
“This initiative is about more than just teaching kids how to save money — it’s about giving them the confidence and knowledge to make informed financial decisions,” said Randle. “We are thrilled to be part of a project that not only benefits students but also strengthens the future of our community.”