This episode of the You're Invited podcast hosted by Kim features guests Sherri Jones, Chief Programs Officer at the Arkansas Food Bank, and Becky Campbell of Arkansas Rice. The discussion focuses on Arkansas's high rank in food insecurity and how regional partnerships, community pantries, and local agricultural producers collaborate to deliver solutions across the state.

Sherry Jones highlights the core issue around food access in Arkansas, explaining, "it's not as easy solvable solution... we cover 33 of the 75 counties across the state... when you go into some of these communities, there's lack of access... your nearest grocery store may be 30 minutes away." She further emphasizes the scale of their operations and the critical role of volunteers: "Pre-COVID, the Arkansas Food Bank distributed about 28 million pounds of food a year. Now we're distributing between 40 and 42 million pounds of food a year and we're still number one in food insecurity," adding, "Our volunteers give over 40,000 hours a year."

Becky Campbell details the significant contribution of the state's agricultural sector, noting, "Agriculture is the number one industry that we have here in our state... Arkansas grows the most rice in the whole United States, over 50%." She shares the long-standing commitment of the industry: "Since like 2015, the rice industry has donated like 2.5 million pounds of rice to food banks across the state."

The episode also highlights upcoming initiatives, including the announcement of a new Delta Community Resource Center in West Helena set to open in Fall 2027, featuring a healthy choice pantry alongside comprehensive support services. The overarching message of the conversation centers on their theme of turning "awareness into action" to end hunger through teamwork, community support, and shared resources.

In this episode of You're Invited, host Kim welcomes volunteers Sarah Fritschie and Yvette Parker to discuss Potluck Food Rescue, a Central Arkansas organization that has spent nearly three decades fighting food insecurity and food waste. Established in 1991, the volunteer-based non-profit partners with local restaurants, caterers, and food distributors like Ben E. Keith to rescue perishable, high-quality food before it goes to waste. rescued meals are then distributed to local pantries, shelters, and mobile free markets serving rural food deserts across the state. The discussion highlights the organization's innovative app connecting volunteer drivers to food pickups, as well as their upcoming fall fundraiser, Driving Away Hunger. Taking place September 24th at the East Side Scrapyard, the casual event features food from top area restaurants, live music from The Hounds, a wine toss, and unique auction packages. Listeners will learn how to get involved, volunteer, or support Potluck's mission during Hunger Action Month.

In this episode of You’re Invited, host Kim Meyer-Webb sits down with retired Little Rock Central High School Principal Nancy Rousseau and proud alumna Tonya Hooks to discuss the rich history, diverse present, and bright future of one of America’s most iconic educational institutions. Together, they dive into what makes Central High’s educational experience so special—from its global student body speaking nearly 40 different languages to the robust academic programs that prepare students for the world. They also discuss the vital role of the Tiger Foundation, an initiative supporting academics, arts, athletics, and citizenship, and how community involvement continues to uplift public education.

During the conversation, Nancy Rousseau reflects on her 31-year tenure at Central High and 53 years in public education, sharing how the student body evolved into a vibrant, multicultural community representing nearly 40 countries. She highlights Central High's extensive academic offerings, including Advanced Placement courses, concurrent college credit, JROTC, and vocational trade programs. Tonya Hooks shares her personal experience as a student, the lifelong mentorship she received, and how the Tiger Foundation fills critical gaps to support students and preserve school history, including restoring the school's historic Steinway piano. They also share memorable stories from Central High’s past, including hosting national leaders, world figures, and surviving an unexpected tornado during a presidential event.

As Nancy Rousseau notes, "Little Rock Central High School: Many cultures, one world." Tonya Hooks adds, "The bad things happen because we don't get involved, and the good things continue to happen because we stay involved. Get involved. Show up for the kids."

To learn more about supporting the school, visit the Tiger Foundation website at lrchstrigerfoundation.org or visit invitingarkansas.com.

This episode was hosted by Kim Meyer-Webb, with guests Nancy Rousseau and Tonya Hooks. It was produced by Steve Rogus, sound engineer Craig Brookshire and video production by Scott Harris. You’re Invited is a production of Inviting Arkansas in partnership with Vines/Brookshire (vinesbrookshire.com). Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

Shae Hughes’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance. At thirty years old, feeling trapped in a dead-end job in Jonesboro, she made the defining decision to reclaim her future for the sake of her family.

"I realized I needed to make a change for myself and my daughter, so I decided to go back to school."

Her academic path began at Arkansas State University, where she earned her associate degree, before transferring to UA Little Rock to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications and professional sales. Today, she works as the Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Park Plaza. When she was first interviewed for the role, she reached a career milestone she will never forget.

"When they asked if I had a college degree during the interview, I was proudly able to say, 'Yes, I do!'"

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund does things differently. Instead of sending funds directly to university billing offices, they put the money directly into the hands of the parents. This financial flexibility allows recipients to cover the real-world emergencies that usually force single parents to drop out—things like sudden car repairs, utility bills, groceries, or childcare.

But as Shae points out, the financial aid is only half the battle. The program’s wrap-around support, mentorship, and community check-ins are what truly keep students going when things get tough.

"The main reason single parents persevere through tough times is simply that someone believed in them and encouraged them."

In a beautiful, full-circle achievement, Shae now sits on the Board of Directors for ASPSF, actively guiding the very organization that helped lift her out of poverty.

In this episode of the podcast, host Kim Meyer-Webb sits down with Cade Bethea to explore the recent activities of the Arkansas Cinema Society and the highly anticipated return of their annual film festival, Filmland. Cade shares insights into the background of the society, noting its steady expansion since 2018 and looking forward to the upcoming tenth iteration of the festival next year. He emphasizes the core tenets of the organization—watch, make, learn—and details their extensive efforts to foster film education and production across the state through workshops, classes, and special screenings. A key aspect of their work is the collaboration with other cultural institutions, notably the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which provides a high-quality venue for year-round cinematic experiences.

The highlight of the discussion centers around the big announcement for this year's Filmland: "Variety is giving the Legends and Groundbreaker Award to Matthew McConaughey at Filmland." Cade reflects on the massive response to this news, admitting that the office has seen an unprecedented amount of interest and demand, noting, "it's we've never seen anything like it, which is good, it's a good problem to have, but it's also a little overwhelming." The connection between the actor and the state is further underscored by past productions like the film Mud, directed by co-founder Jeff Nichols and shot in the Stuttgart area, which left a lasting impression on the local community.

Looking beyond the star power, Cade emphasizes that the core reason to attend Filmland is to engage directly with the burgeoning filmmaking environment in Arkansas, particularly through the festival's dedicated Arkansas section and pitch contests, which provide practical funding and resources for local creators. Educational programs, such as the summer film filmmaking lab for teen girls, remain central to their mission, helping to shape the next generation of storytellers. The episode wraps up with a reminder of the unique social and community aspect of the festival, featuring daily happy hours and opportunities to mingle with visiting directors and producers, making it a fully immersive and unmissable summer event for film lovers.

In this episode of the podcast, host Kim Meyer-Webb welcomes Cathy Browne and Daniel Robinson to discuss the critical work of Women and Children First and the revolutionary development of the Family Peace Center. Cathy shares the deeply moving story that changed the trajectory of her life nearly five decades ago when a young six- or seven-year-old boy looked at her and asked, "Will you hold me?" This simple moment of connection solidified her life's mission. Daniel highlights the overwhelming barriers survivors face when trying to leave abusive situations, emphasizing the logistical nightmares of navigating legal paperwork and courthouse bureaucracies. He points out how the Family Peace Center addresses this by bringing eighty-eight partner agencies under one roof to streamline the process, proudly stating, "We've been approved to issue temporary restraining orders at the new facility."

The discussion covers the widespread community and economic toll of domestic abuse, with Daniel explaining that added holiday pressures always cause numbers to rise. To help fight this and bring normalcy to the shelter, the organization relies heavily on its young professional auxiliary group, the Peace Keepers. Cathy praises their energy, noting that "They have developed a fundraiser that we just finished in May called Mardi Gras in May," while also highlighting how they host monthly, non-fundraising events like holiday parties to give mothers and children a window of normalcy. Strategically located on Daily Drive right off Baseline Road next to a Children's Hospital clinic, the center represents a massive step forward. Looking ahead, Cathy shares her visionary goal to see "Smaller Family Peace Centers maybe in six places in the state" to make coordinated care accessible everywhere. Ultimately, the guests remind listeners that support begins long before anyone enters a shelter, urging anyone in need to reach out because "Help is only a phone call away."

Welcome to the debut episode of You’re Invited, the podcast from Inviting Arkansas, hosted by Kim Meyer-Webb. In this episode, we continue the vital conversations that start within the pages of Inviting Arkansas Magazine by introducing you to the people, organizations, and missions that strengthen our communities across the state. Today, Kim sits down with Jessica Ford, the newly appointed President and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation, as the organization celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from her small hometown of Redfield, Arkansas, to taking the helm of one of the state's most influential philanthropic organizations, building on a legacy that has already granted more than $600 million to nonprofits and stewards over $1 billion in assets.

During their conversation, Jessica demystifies the idea of philanthropy, explaining that you do not need extraordinary wealth to be a philanthropist because the Foundation offers a accessible $1,000 minimum to establish a fund that can grow over time through the power of endowment. She highlights the critical role of the Foundation’s statewide affiliate network, which features 29 local offices run by local boards who use the flagship Giving Tree program to make sure grant decisions remain deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Jessica also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the Foundation steps into a vital leadership role during statewide crises to safely coordinate relief funding, drawing on their recent experiences helping communities navigate tornadoes, the pandemic, and the tragic mass shooting in Fordyce, Arkansas. Beyond direct grantmaking, they discuss how the Foundation utilizes data to act as a statewide matchmaker, connecting local leaders and resources to tackle core issues like early literacy, food security, and maternal health. To learn more about how you can get involved, apply for grants, or start your own family legacy of giving, you can visit the Arkansas Community Foundation website at arcf.org and explore the latest issue of Inviting Arkansas Magazine online at invitingarkansas.com.