By: Jose Carranza
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (UATV) —A Bentonville family uses their halloween display to raise food insecurity awareness.
Jeff and Denise Ratcliff of Bentonville added a theme to this year’s display. Denise said that they’d joined an online Facebook group for giant skeletons. Within the Group, many used their displays to donate towards St. Jude’s.
The Ratcliffs, however, wanted to localize their cause. Denise and Jeff both had a background in the food industry which helped them decide what cause they wanted to raise awareness for. They decided on food insecurity through donations to the Northwest Arkansas Foodbank.
“We just wanted to add a little bit of purpose to what we’re doing so obviously we’re on a very busy street in downtown Bentonville…we get a lot of visibility,” said Jeff, “We’ve always had a passion for the Northwest Arkansas food bank and they just definitely a big need in the area.”
Outside their home on 2nd street in Bentonville, the Ratcliffs have added a bucket and a sign. The sign reads “Haunting for Hunger.”
Director of Marketing & Communications of the NWA Food Bank, Julie Damer, says that Northwest Arkansas saw a spike of food insecurity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Feeding America, the Northwest Arkansas region has 82,280 food insecure residents. In comparison, that is almost the population of Fayetteville of 85,166 people according to the American Community Survey.
“Community support is essential to us operating and being able to serve those who are food insecure in the Northwest Arkansas region,” said Damer.
With their added element for their display, the Ratcliffs said they’ve received more than just their neighbor’s attention.
“Last year, we did receive a lot of shout outs but this year we’ve received thank you cards from preschool kids, we’ve received little treats on the front porch…people driving by waving thank you, thumbs up,” said Denise, “I think just the response from the community has just been phenomenal.”
With their success this year, the Ratcliffs hope in coming years that they can help others put on displays such as theirs.
In a statement the Ratcliffs said, “Our goal is to bring awareness to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and food insecurity in our community…we hope Haunting for Hunger will expand next year and we can facilitate and manage the drive on a larger scale by providing signs to other members in the community that would be willing to get involved.”