The Association of Community Action Agencies of Arkansas (ACAAA) made visits to the site on June 9 with the St. Luke Ama church, the family church and the Missionary Baptist Church of Rose Hill to welcome them to the Hope Hope cohort of 2025.
These visits mark the first phase of implementation for a state initiative designed to combat food insecurity and improve health results in unattended communities, according to a press release from ACAAA.
Hope Hope cohort of 2025 consists of 11 congregations located in the County of Jefferson, Drew, Pulasski, Logan, Pope, Franklin and Yell. The cohort will accept up to 15 churches every year until 2030.
Run in association with the University of the Ozarks, the Hope harvest works to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, mitigate occurrences of chronic diseases and develop the ability of churches to lead sustained solutions at the community level.
“By equipping faith -based institutions with resources, training and a mobile market infrastructure, this initiative aims to transform how communities address hunger and health, the beginning of trust is stronger: in the church,” according to the statement.
The executive director of ACAAA, Tomekia Moore, resident of Pine Bluff, explained the effort.
“Food and nutritional insecurity is not just about hunger,” said Moore. “This is health, dignity and local power. These congregations are taking a step forward to lead, and we are honored to walk by their side.”
In conjunction with the harvest of hope, ACAAA is also leading Arkansas’ paths towards the self -sufficiency initiative, a state collaboration that joins agencies, non -profit organizations, educators and state leaders to face the fundamental causes of poverty.
This initiative is mobilizing multiple working groups around key domains, including the development of workforce, digital equity, medical care, education and food safety.
“While its framework is being formed at the state level, its true power will come from local contributions, dialogue and solutions promoted by the community,” according to the statement.
The harvest of hope and Arkansas paths to self -sufficiency reflect the mission of community action, to create significant solutions rooted in the community that meet families where they are, Moore said.
“These initiatives are not charity. They are about building systems that work for all,” he said.
People, organizations and congregations are encouraged to get involved in any of these initiatives to contact Tomekia Moore in [email protected].
