The Arkansas Foodbank and the Arkansas Rice Depot said Friday that both organizations’ boards of directors have voted to merge the nonprofts effective Jan. 1.
Both organizations are dedicated to serving hungry Arkansans through various programs reaching school-aged children, college students, families and seniors. The nonprofits said the merger will allow existing programs of both organizations to continue and expand, reaching more in need due to gained operational efficiencies.
The current names and legacies of both AFB and ARD will be evident in the new structure, and all staff members will be retained due to the expansion of programs, the groups said,
“I am thrilled by the exponential potential that this merger will create,” Rhonda Sanders, CEO of the Arkansas Foodbank said in a news release. “Both organizations exist to alleviate hunger, and we will be more effective in doing that together.”
Both AFB and ARD will continue operating independently until the January merger, with all programs and special events continuing as planned. Additional information regarding the structure, plans and goals of the merged organization will be announced in the future.
“The new organization not only has a goal of increasing the amount of food distributed, but also the nutritional value of the food served,” said Kim Aaron, president and CEO of the Arkansas Rice Depot.
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