As local schools prepare to close their doors for spring break, the First Ward Living Grace Pantry is stepping up to ensure that no child in the community goes hungry.
The organization is set to host a major Spring Break Community Giveaway from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at 1201 Commerce Road.
The giveaway is free and open to the entire public.
“The timing of the event is critical. For many families in Pine Bluff, spring break represents more than just a vacation; it signifies a week-long gap in the breakfast and lunch programs that many students rely on daily,” pantry lead organizer Debra Allen said. “School will be out for a whole week. We wanted the kids to have enough breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. No child should go without a meal.”
The event is designed to support more than 500 families by providing ready-to-eat meals and grocery staples. While the giveaway addresses pressing nutritional gaps, it also seeks to strengthen the community.
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“I want us all to come together,” Allen shared. “It’s not about me; it’s about doing what God wants me to do. I want the community to know we need everybody’s help.”
The massive undertaking is made possible through a wide network of local support.
Allen credited several partners for the event’s viability, including the Arkansas Food Bank, Highland Pellets, Bill & Sharri Jones, Super 1 Foods/Brookshire’s, the Jefferson County sheriff’s office, Hands of Niche, United Healthcare, Carpenter’s Farm, Aisha’s, and Common Ground.
“All I can say is I step out on faith as big as a mustard seed, and God always comes through,” Allen said.
In addition to food security, the event will emphasize civic engagement with a dedicated “Register to Vote” table. Allen noted that the pantry lines often include residents who want to vote but might need a gentle nudge to complete their registration. “Sometimes, as a whole, we have to give them a little push,” she explained.
Looking ahead, the pantry remains committed to its mission year-round through weekly pop-up events every Wednesday at Trinity Annex.
Community members looking to support the mission or donate can visit the Commerce Road location or contact the organization directly. The event will also serve as a prelude to a significant announcement on Saturday, held in honor of late city councilwoman Thelma Walker.