Food assistance for women and families centers on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), the National School Lunch Program, Feeding America food banks, and Meals on Wheels. WIC serves pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to age 5, providing food packages, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding peer support — household income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. SNAP eligibility is generally 130% FPL. Food banks operate in every state and typically require no application for an initial visit. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, WIC clinics, and regional food bank networks.
Arkansas circuit courts hear family law matters in all 75 counties, with the Office of Child Support Enforcement under the Department of Finance and Administration. Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Springdale are the largest metros. Legal Aid of Arkansas, the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, and the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide help to women.
Arkansas SNAP is administered by DHS County Operations, with applications accepted at every county DHS office or through the Access Arkansas online portal. Benefits load monthly onto an EBT card usable at any SNAP-authorized retailer. Pregnant women, working mothers, and households with elderly or disabled members may qualify even when other adults are working full time.
800-482-8988 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Arkansas Foodbank on West 65th Street in Little Rock serves 33 counties in central and southern Arkansas through a network of around 400 partner pantries, shelters, and meal programs. They host the Hunger Action Center as a direct distribution site and run the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance for advocacy. Volunteer shifts are open to the public.
501-565-8121 · 4301 W 65th St, Little Rock, AR 72209 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank on South 8th Street in Rogers distributes food to over 100 partner pantries serving Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. They run the Food For Kids backpack program for students who depend on school meals and a senior food box program for older adults on fixed incomes.
479-872-8774 · 1702 S 8th St, Rogers, AR 72756 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas on East Johnson Avenue in Jonesboro serves 12 counties in the northeast corner of the state. Partner pantries are concentrated in Craighead, Crittenden, Mississippi, and Greene counties where the Delta poverty rate runs above the state average. Distribution days at the warehouse rotate; check the website.
870-932-3663 · 3000 E Johnson Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website
Arkansas WIC, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health, provides nutritional food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. Eligibility runs to 185% of the federal poverty level. WIC benefits load onto an eWIC card usable at authorized grocers; the participating store list is on the ADH website.
800-235-0002 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Arkansas Rice Depot on West 65th Street in Little Rock distributes rice and other staples to food pantries statewide. They also run the Food for Kids backpack program serving thousands of Arkansas schoolchildren each week, packing weekend food bags through volunteer assembly lines. Their food donation pipeline draws on Arkansas's status as a top US rice producer.
501-565-8121 · 3801 W 65th St, Little Rock, AR 72209 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
Feeding America is the national network of food banks. Their site routes you to the nearest of Arkansas's six Feeding America-member food banks: Arkansas Foodbank, NWA Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, River Valley Regional Food Bank, Harvest Regional Food Bank, and the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas. Each covers a different geographic area.
800-771-2303 · Statewide Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
The USDA SNAP page links to every state's application portal including Arkansas. The federal site explains baseline eligibility, allowable purchases, and the work requirements that apply to able-bodied adults without dependents. Pregnant women and primary caretakers of children under age 6 are typically exempt from those work requirements.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The federal WIC page links to every state agency including Arkansas WIC at the Arkansas Department of Health. The site explains the food packages by category (pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, infant, child) and the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, which has expanded under recent appropriations.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Enter your Arkansas zip code into the Feeding America locator and the results return the closest member food bank along with pantries served by that bank. Many smaller Arkansas towns are served by mobile pantries that visit on a fixed monthly schedule; the locator pulls those into the results too.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
USDA Summer Food Service Program sites operate at hundreds of locations across Arkansas during summer break to keep children who depend on school meals fed. Texting FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 returns the nearest sites. No registration or ID required at most sites; kids 18 and under eat free.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Meals on Wheels affiliates in Arkansas include CareLink in central Arkansas and several Area Agency on Aging-administered programs in other regions. Eligible mothers caring for an elderly parent can refer that parent for home-delivered meals. The national site routes by zip code to the local provider.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
No Kid Hungry runs partnerships with Arkansas school districts to expand breakfast-in-the-classroom and afterschool meal programs. The site links families to the local programs that participate. Useful when a child's school doesn't currently serve breakfast or summer meals and parents want to advocate for change.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AmpleHarvest.org connects home gardeners with food pantries that accept fresh produce donations. The Arkansas listings include dozens of pantries that welcome garden tomatoes, squash, and greens to supplement shelf-stable food. Useful for mothers gardening in their own yards or community gardens who want to share the surplus.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) and 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish) connects callers to local food assistance including food pantries and federal nutrition programs. The hotline runs Monday through Friday 7am-10pm Eastern. Useful when you don't know which Arkansas program covers your need.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Bread for the World is a faith-based advocacy organization that lobbies Congress on hunger policy including SNAP, WIC, and international food aid. Their action alerts let constituents contact Arkansas senators and representatives during key votes. Useful for mothers who want to convert frustration with the system into advocacy.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website