How We Started
Deyonka Hickey approached Joe & Joyce Short, her friends, and fellow co-workers from her military days at Little Rock AFB. All three were key to the food pantry’s success during the initial startup. EVERYTHING was started from scratch.
The three co-founders initially contacted a Veterans food pantry located in New York and were granted permission to operate under their name (FEED OUR VETS) and their 501(c)(3) for the first year. In May 2018, the Arkansas food pantry broke away from the New York-based food pantry and began operating under their own name (FEED THE VETERANS) and their 501(c)(3).
Sadly, Joe passed away in February 2020, but he will ALWAYS be a part of the pantry and a cornerstone of our foundation.