Little Rock reactivates LR Cares to buy discounted grocery gift cards for SNAP recipients amid shutdown

Mayor Frank Scott announced that the City of Little Rock will reopen its LR Cares fund to buy discounted grocery gift cards for residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program while federal benefits are disrupted. "We are certain to help the residents of Little Rock and step up in any way possible," Scott said.

The announcement, made at a city event attended by city directors and community partners, comes as city officials cited roughly 36,000 Pulaski County residents who receive SNAP assistance and about 4,000 federal employees in Little Rock affected by the shutdown. Scott directed residents who want to donate to go to littlerock.gov/lrcares; donations will be tax-deductible through the LR Cares fundraising mechanism and used to purchase bulk gift cards at a discount from Edwards Food Giant.

Dr. Jamal Wright, superintendent of the Little Rock School District, said the district will expand support for school-based food pantries and that "all schools and early childhood education centers are serving as drop off sites for donations of any non perishable food items, toiletries, and hygiene products." Wright said the district is joining the city "to alleviate the stress for families" and to ensure students have support during the shutdown.

City Director Cathy Webb, a member of the Little Rock Food Commission, praised partnerships with businesses and hunger-relief groups. Webb noted that Edwards has helped the city purchase bulk gift cards in past crises and that local organizations know pantry clients: "Nobody knows the food pantries and the charitable network in Little Rock better than the teams at the Arkansas Food Bank and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Their SNAP teams work with individuals who access those food pantries, and that is why we will be able to use them as distribution points," Webb said.

Kevin Shalen, chair of the Little Rock Food Commission, said the commission will support the effort and highlighted restaurant partners. He said some businesses, including restaurateur Daniel Bryan, will offer discounts to patrons who donate gift cards.

The city plans to purchase gift cards from Edwards Food Giant at a discounted rate and distribute them through hunger-relief partners and school-district networks. Officials said this will be funded by donations to LR Cares and by city, state or private contributions raised through the fund. Scott said city leaders may consider additional measures as the situation develops.

Officials urged residents who can donate to visit littlerock.gov/lrcares for information on giving and distribution; they also asked community partners to use established pantry and school networks for targeted distribution to those most affected.