Bente Eriksen (right), director of the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas, helps carry items for Kendral Thomas of Fort Smith after walking past a new Martin Luther King, Jr.-themed food pantry, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas in Fort Smith. Local artist Jonathan Burchett painted the newspaper stand, which was donated through Engage Arkansas’ Civic Engagement Tour and unveiled Monday during a ceremony honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Eriksen...
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Bente Eriksen (right), director of the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas, helps carry items for Kendral Thomas of Fort Smith after walking past a new Martin Luther King, Jr.-themed food pantry, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas in Fort Smith. Local artist Jonathan Burchett painted the newspaper stand, which was donated through Engage Arkansas’ Civic Engagement Tour and unveiled Monday during a ceremony honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Eriksen said the pantry will be used to provide perishables after hours when the Literacy Council, which became a certified food bank three months ago, is closed. Eriksen added she plans to host a citywide food drive to collect additional food and supplies to help fill the pantry and meet the demand of the community. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)
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