25 in 25: Celebrating 25 Projects for the Riceland Foods Foundation

Each year, the Riceland Foods Foundation supports several community activities and projects, including Agriculture, Community Building, Conservation, Education, Youth, Human Services, Arts and Culture, and more across Arkansas and Missouri.

"The Riceland Foundation has had a diverse and very successful history. Our Foundation has focused on food insecurity across rural communities in Arkansas and Missouri. I have seen Riceland's connection with local food pantries up close and personal in my small community, creating a lasting impact," said Rich Hillman, Former Chairman of the Riceland Foods Foundation. "It has been eye-opening to see community members choosing between their prescription medications or a healthy meal. With the help from the Riceland Foundation, those folks are getting fed. That's a big deal! Our farmer members can take a great deal of pride in that. Our rice farmers are just one step away from millions of families’ dinner tables, and the Riceland Foundation helps us close the gaps across the communities where our farmer-members and employees live and work."

To celebrate the 25^th year of the Riceland Foods Foundation, we are highlighting 25 projects we have funded over the years.

1. Jackson County School District
Project: New Scoreboards
Area: Education

“I want to thank the Riceland Foods Foundation for their support over the past five years which allowed us to purchase the new scoreboards at our ball fields.  There have been countless ball games and tournaments at these fields over the past five years and the beautiful scoreboards and sponsors have been admired by many fans.”    

Chester Shannon,  Superintendent of the Jackson County School District

2. Arkansas FFA
Area: Youth

The Riceland Foods Foundation has been a longtime supporter and partner with the Arkansas FFA. Over the years, we have completed several projects and we look forward to continuing our support for this youth-led organization.

3. Childrens Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
Area: Community

“Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas extend our deepest appreciation to Riceland Foods. Your steadfast support and generous contributions have been a driving force behind our efforts to prevent child abuse. With your partnership, we are making strides towards a safer, more nurturing world for our children. Thank you, Riceland Foods, for your unwavering commitment to our cause."
Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas Partner

4. U of A Cooperative Extension Service
Area: Education

As part of an agricultural cooperative, the Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities for our farmer members. The Cooperative Extension Service is critical in providing research, recommendations, and opportunities for Arkansas rice producers.

5. Stuttgart Fire Department
Area: Community

The Riceland Foods Foundation was created to help support the communities in which Riceland operates. Partnering with local law enforcement organizations is critical to ensure local programs can continue and community needs are met.

6. Rice Stewardship Partnership
Project: Rice Stewardship Partnership
Area: Environment

"In 2013, USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited formed the Rice Stewardship Partnership to combine people and resources to preserve the unique interconnected relationship of rice production, waterfowl, and water. Together our programs have surpassed 1000+ unique and individual rice farms covering more than 800,000 acres. These impacts on the rice industry would not be possible without industry support, and the Riceland Foods Foundation's consistent commitment to the Partnership has been invaluable."
Rice Stewardship Partner

7. ICCM Food Bank
Area: Human Services

"It would be very difficult to feed the Hungry of North Arkansas County at the ICCM foodbank without the assistance that Riceland provides us with the donation of rice and their company wide food drives."  Bobby Bradberry ICCM Coordinator

8. Galaxy Conference
Area: Community

The Galaxy Conference in 1998 brought together Arkansas extension employees for a professional development opportunity. The Riceland Foods Foundation was able to support this mission as extension professionals pursued continuing education workshops and networking.

9. Stuttgart Police Department
Area: Community

The Riceland Foods Foundation was created to help support the communities in which Riceland operates. Partnering with local law enforcement organizations is critical to ensure local programs can continue and community needs are met.

10. IMAD
Area: Education

“IMAD is dedicated to presenting our youth with a picture of hope and prosperity through education and mentorship.” Director, Phil Brown

11. Shelby's Pantry - Carlisle, AR
Area: Human Services

Shelby's Pantry is a senior food pantry for patrons 60 years and older that live in Carlisle, AR. The Pantry currently serves over 100 households each month. "Hunger is the world's most solvable problem. With donations from Riceland Foods, our pantry is doing their part in rural Arkansas to help provide nutritious food to those in needs." - Shelby's Pantry Representative

12. Arkansas Women in Agriculture
Area: Community

The Arkansas Women in Agriculture Organization is dedicated to providing educational programming and networking opportunities for Arkansas women involved in the agriculture industry. The Riceland Foods Foundation is proud to partner with this organization to provide networking opportunities.

13. Jonesboro Police Department
Area: Community

The Riceland Foods Foundation was created to help support the communities in which Riceland operates. Partnering with local law enforcement organizations is critical to ensure local programs can continue and community needs are met.

14. Easterseals Arkansas
Area: Education

The Easterseals Stacey and Allen Homra Child Development Center is thankful for donors like the Riceland Foods Foundation that commit to building up the establishments in our local communities. SAHCDC is a developmental preschool, meaning we serve students with developmental delays. While some of our students are typically developing, the majority of our students are enrolled in order to get the supports they need from developmental, physical, occupational, and speech therapists that allow them to succeed as they continue their education into the elementary and secondary years, and later into the workforce. We are able to see our students from the past become productive members of our community; because of donors like you, this is possible.

15. Arkansas 4-H Foundation
Area: Youth

As a longtime partner of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, the Riceland Foods Foundation has been able to provide leadership development opportunities for 4-H members. Each year, the Arkansas 4-H sponsors qualifying students to attend the national convention.

16. Grand Prairie Center Stuttgart
Project: Riceland Auditorium
Area: Community

“Funds from the Riceland Foods Foundation has benefitted our community in so many ways.  Riceland Auditorium is a premier, state-of-art facility that has hosted graduations, conferences,  recitals, Broadway Plays and many artists to make it Stuttgart’s center of Arts & Culture.  We have thrived on the foundation’s support for the past twelve years, and appreciate its continued support.” Renee Robison, Executive Director of Grand Prairie Center, PCCUA

17. Des Arc Computer Fund
Area: Community

The Foundation was established to provide community resources for the communities in which Riceland operates. In 1999, the Foundation was able to participate in the Des Arc Computer Fund to help the local high school purchase computers.

18. Boy Scouts of America
Area: Youth

Though a national organization, the Boy Scouts of America operates in local chapters. The Foundation is proud to support the personal and professional development opportunities presented through this organization.

19. Riceland Foods Foundation Scholarship
Area: Education

The Riceland Foods Foundation Scholarship will be launching soon with more details to come.

20. Jonesboro Fire Department
Project: Training
Area: Community

The contributions from the Riceland Foods Foundation went towards training efforts for the Jonesboro Fire Department.

21. Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas
Area: Human Services

"Riceland Foods has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and long-term viability of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Their unwavering support was integral in securing a grant from the Reynolds Foundation, enabling us to establish our current facility just over twelve years ago. Since then, Riceland has consistently provided funding for essential programs and operations, while also actively participating in leadership roles on our board of directors. Their dedication ensures that fewer individuals in Northeast Arkansas experience the burden of hunger."
Rebecca Hendrix, Chief Development Officer

22. Beyond Boundaries
Area: Community

"Funding from The Riceland Foods Foundation helped Beyond Boundaries launch our equine-assisted literacy program, Reading Rambo. Groups from local elementary schools read and discuss books while interacting with one of our therapy horses, Rambo. We are excited to continue to grow and develop this program in the years to come!"
Beyond Boundaries Partner

23. Phillips Community College
Area: Community

In 1999, the Riceland Foods Foundation voted to contribute to and establish the "Riceland Endowment" at Phillips Community College. The endowment funds were utilized to support the chemistry program including equipment upgrades.

24. Westside Consolidated School District
Area: Education

Supporting area schools within the Riceland footprint is critical. The Riceland Foods Foundation is dedicated to supporting local communities when possible.

25. Arkansas Livestock Show Association
Area: Youth

The Arkansas Livestock Show Association is responsible for organizing the Arkansas State Fair, one of the largest livestock shows available to agriculture students in Arkansas. The Foundation finds great value in supporting youth interested in agriculture.

We are excited to share this summary of some of the projects the Foundation has been able to facilitate over the years! As we reflect on 25 years of giving, we are hopeful for 25 more. For more foundation information, please click here.

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