Garland County Habitat for Humanity and the Hot Springs National Park After Hours Satellite Rotary Club have teamed up to host a food drive in an effort to help out the students and staff at National Park College.
"We're partnering with Rotary and NPC to do a food drive at all three (ReStores)," Courtney Post, Habitat's public relations coordinator, said. The food drive began Sept. 11 and will end Sept. 30.
Donors will receive 10% off their in-store purchases.
Resort TV Cable is also collecting donations for the food drive. Its donation box is located in their lobby at 410 Airport Road.
Post said since the food drive stated, the ReStores have had "a lot" of donations.
Romeo Lopez, manager of the ReStore at 350 Malvern Ave. and president of After Hours Rotary Club, said the goal of the food drive is to help those who are struggling.
"A lot of students have sacrificed to get to college," he said, and they want to "give (these people) one less thing to worry about."
"Students don't have extra income to buy snacks and meals," Lopez said.
"It's been a success so far," he said, adding that by Sept. 16, his one store had filled 10 boxes with nonperishable food to be donated.
He noted they are looking for items such as tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, beans and "that college staple, ramen."
Lopez said many students and staff members "don't feel safe" going out to other places to get food because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the food drive is "our part to help them out."
This is the first time Habitat has held a food drive for NPC, but Lopez said they have held previous food drives for other places such as Jackson House and the community always steps up and donates food when they ask.
"It's been outstanding, just the response," Lopez said, noting one regular customer of the ReStore who brought in a large bag full of ramen and other items who was "happy we were doing something to help people."
Habitat is best known for building homes for lower- to medium-income families. Post said this partnership with the college would make it easier for students and staff members "who need a hand up on a house" to get in contact with Habitat.
The three ReStores are located at 350 Malvern Ave., 2817 Airport Road, and 3825 Highway 7 north near Hot Springs Village.