Arkansas nonprofit fights inflation, COVID fights food insecurity

Charolette Tidwell is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition for women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a follow-up to Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Meet this year’s honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com.

At first she bought groceries with money from her own pocket. It was her way to start a life of helping others.

Today, Charolette Tidwell is helping people in Arkansas with donations to buy thousands of pounds of groceries every month during a time of inflation and growing food insecurity in Arkansas.

Despite suffering a stroke, Tidwell continues to help deliver groceries to people who drive by for grocery pickups on Wednesdays each week. Their efforts feed 18,000 to 22,000 people monthly with deliveries, pickups and bulk distributions in Fort Smith and the surrounding areas, Tidwell said.

After a pandemic, a year of inflation and ever-increasing food costs, Charolette Tidwell’s Antioch for Youth & Family continues to help people fight hunger.

Tidwell is the USA TODAY Woman of the Year award from Arkansas.

Tidwell praised volunteers. “Remember Antioch has worked for 23 years with a team of volunteers drawn from all communities to maximize purchasing power and secure food.”

The volunteer model in practice was started because funding was difficult to secure, she said.

“But the longevity of the concept has proven that more effort needs to be put into the value of volunteering,” Tidwell said. “Not only in crisis situations, but in daily practice.”

The Antioch Thanksgiving Food Giveaway was the largest yet in 2022. £300,000 of food was given away at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Fort Smith. Food included turkey, potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, dairy eggs, desserts, canned goods, beverages, pinto beans, rice, peanut butter, oatmeal, macaroni, spaghetti, tuna and chicken.

In one event, the Knock and Drop, more than 1,200 low-income families received 36,000 pounds of meat.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Trusting God and allowing Him to call the shots. The setting determines the height.

Community building occurs when hope and a sense of belonging are built. Demonstrated or willingness to acquire competency. Integrity. respect for everyone. Equity capital. Plan for the common good in all aspects. These principles are interdependent and interconnected.

My parents, grandparents, church teachers, mostly from the African American community except for the nuns at St. John the Baptist, and elementary school teachers with love and strict guidance.

First, to teach children by example that there are no obstacles preventing them; all problems can be turned into opportunities. Second, by teaching adults by example that they have a responsibility to teach and care for children. Third, by showing the whole community by example that we can become our brothers’ keepers by building a village of “caring.”

Those who work selflessly for the common good, willingly and without prejudice, organizations.

The meaning of courage is mental or moral strength to dare, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. Courage is the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations. Courage means admitting that we cannot cope on our own. Courage is knowing and admitting we screwed up. Courage is being honest with yourself. Courage is the willingness to tackle difficult situations with reason, determination and spirit despite fear.

Published
9:28 am UTC March 19, 2023
updated
9:28 am UTC March 19, 2023