Hot Springs recognizes prevention‑recovery leader; local hunger relief and warming shelter report strong volunteer support
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Summary
Mayor and directors honored Anthony Tidwell for leading the school district’s prevention‑recovery program; volunteers reported hundreds of pounds of venison and thousands of snack‑stick packages donated through Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and the Community Resource Center reported recent warming‑shelter activity and a $50,000 matching pledge campaign.
The Hot Springs Board of Directors used part of its December meeting to recognize local community programs addressing substance use prevention and food insecurity.
Director Dudley Webb highlighted Anthony Tidwell’s role designing and leading a prevention‑recovery pilot at Hot Springs School District campuses. Webb said the program served about 70 students in its first year and is on pace to serve more than 100 in its second year; he announced a portal opened Dec. 5 for other districts to apply and closes Jan. 20. "Anthony, you are a hero to our youth," Webb said as the board presented Tidwell with a ceremonial key.
City leaders also heard from volunteers coordinating venison donations through Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Ronnie Ritter and Sally Carter gave counts for ground deer burger distributed to local pantries and school programs—transcribed totals include 1,488 pounds of deer burger countywide and individual deliveries such as 1,138 pounds to the Lake Hamilton Resource Center—and large numbers of snack‑stick packages distributed to weekend backpack programs.
Sally Carter updated the board on the Community Resource Center’s warming‑shelter operations: the center opens when temperatures reach 30°F or below, can house 112 people, and recently averaged about 40 people per night during three openings. Carter said the center raised $56,000 last year and was seeking a match for a repeat $50,000 pledge; a local bank pledged $5,000 toward the current match effort.
Officials praised volunteers and community partners and encouraged donations and volunteer sign‑ups through the Resource Center’s web page and Facebook presence.
