Be Mighty: A Community-Centered Food Support System in Little Rock

The Be Mighty food support network is a neighborhood-centered anti-hunger initiative that positions the public library as more than a place for books — it’s a hub for food access, nutrition education, and connection to public benefits. Launched as a concentrated effort to address food insecurity among kids and families, Be Mighty has grown into a multipronged network of meal distribution, small neighborhood pantries, outreach, and referral services that meet people where they are.

“Be Mighty Little Rock is a citywide anti-hunger campaign aimed at connecting kids, teens, and families to free meals, cooking and nutrition education, food security resources, and opportunities to eat, play, and learn.” — Be Mighty, Mission Statement

Hailey P. Squires, Be Mighty specialist, shares the origin story of Be Mighty: “Be Mighty began in 2018, funded by a CHAMPS grant from the National League of Cities. The campaign was a partnership between the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the City of Little Rock, Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock Parks & Rec, Little Rock School District, and Rock Region Metro.”

She explains, “Of the five organizations that began under the CHAMPS grant in 2018, we are now the only organization continuing the work. Be Mighty was conceived with the goal of providing healthy food and lifestyle choices for kids through the city of Little Rock and the Central Arkansas Library System. Since then, we have pivoted our program to include a broader intergenerational lens for our work. With the support of the library, the parks department, and other partners, we have been able to add programs and help more members of our community. Currently, our team is comprised of a Be Mighty coordinator, a Be Mighty specialist, and a Be Mighty outreach facilitator.”

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 was signed into law (Public Law 119–21) in July 2025. The OBBB amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and changed the work and benefit rules for select adult recipients (i.e., able-bodied and without dependents). Requirements were expanded for some parents, veterans, and other select recipients.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the changes, made effective September 1, 2025, impact an estimated four million people who have lost some or all of their food benefits. Recipients must now be able to document that they’ve either worked or volunteered for a narrow set of activities for twenty hours per week to prove that they qualify for an exemption from the rules. Otherwise, these individuals will receive SNAP benefits for only three months in a three-year period.

In Little Rock, the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) is responding to the current sociopolitical climate by scaling its Be Mighty food support network to meet rising needs in the community.

CALS is achieving this by providing several resources, including: twelve 24/7 outdoor Little Free Pantries, five community fridges across branches, a vetted countywide food resource guide and hot meal map, recipe zines using pantry staples, and a public volunteer and donation campaign. 

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Squires says, “Annually, we will survey kids and teens during meal service for feedback and suggestions on what meals they would like to see and if they enjoy the meals that have been served. We receive positive feedback from these surveys! The community fridges are also very well received by the community, as well as our monthly virtual cook-alongs that we host every third Thursday.”

Be Mighty Little Rock and community members stock the Little Free Pantries on a weekly basis. These pantries work much like Little Free Libraries: Instead of books, a container or station is stocked with shelf-stable food items that community members can take or replace as needed. Be Mighty also supplies each pantry with a collection of recipe zines during weekly food distributions. These zines help teach readers how to stretch their pantry supplies.

The community fridges function as judgment-free spaces, allowing library patrons the freedom to take what they need to feed themselves and their families. These refrigerators were funded through the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the National Recreation and Parks Association, and Tyson Foods. Grant funding from the Arkansas Community Foundation and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance’s Hunger Reduction Initiative has also helped stock these fridges. The fridges allow a broader variety of food to be donated to the community, like produce and dairy products.

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The countywide food resource guide is available online, and the hot meal map is currently being updated. The resource guide offers a comprehensive list that provides an address for each community fridge, food pantry, after-school no-cost meal service, and free after-school snack location. The guide also provides local resources for direct meal support. The resource map, once completed, will have interactive capabilities.

Be Mighty’s contributions to the community would not be possible without dedicated volunteers and community support. As food access becomes more uncertain for many families, Be Mighty demonstrates how libraries can anchor care, dignity, and resilience. Through partnerships, volunteers, and innovative programs, CALS continues to meet neighbors where they are — ensuring that nourishment, knowledge, and community remain freely accessible to all.

Please forward any questions or feedback about the Be Mighty program to [email protected].