Wednesday, December 18, 2013
BENTONVILLE — Students will collect food and other items outside the high school this week to benefit two nonprofit organizations.
Bentonville High School’s Amnesty International Club members will stand outside at the corner of the school’s main entrance off Southeast J Street from 11 a.m. to the early evening Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, said Sam Farley, a Bentonville High senior and club president.
They will collect nonperishable food for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank as well as money and other items for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter in Bentonville.
Children’s Shelter Needs
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has a place on its website where it lists its biggest needs. Below are some examples. Visit nwacs.org and click on the “How You Can Make A Difference” tab at the top of the page for the full list.
Fall/winter pajamas, sizes 14-16 for boys and girls
Socks, small for boys and medium for girls
Jeans/pants, size 5T for boys, multiple sizes for girls
Underwear, size 10-12 for boys, pull-ups size 3T and 4T for girls, pull-ups size extra-large
Paper towels
Hand soap (large refill)
Hairbrushes
Large trash bags
Hair-styling products for girls
Source: nwacs.org
The club has focused on children’s rights this year. Students wanted their donation drive to relate to that theme, Farley said.
The club conducted a similar donation drive last year that benefited the food bank and the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter. Students collected about $800 along with food and clothing.
“There was just an outpouring of generosity from the community,” Farley said. “It was just so heartwarming.”
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter’s annual budget is about $3.6 million, but state reimbursements cover only about 25 percent of the shelter’s costs, said Greg Russell, director of marketing.
The shelter, which opened 20 years ago this month, has a capacity of 48 children. On Tuesday it had 32 children staying there, though it had as many as 39 at one point last weekend, Russell said.
The shelter has lists of needs posted on its website, nwacs.org. They can be found by clicking on the “How You Can Make A Difference” tab at the top of the page.
The community’s response to the shelter’s needs has been “phenomenal,” Russell said.
“I’ve spent most of the day going back and forth to the front lobby to take photos of people dropping off donations and speaking to groups doing service projects. It’s been overwhelming,” he said.