On Wednesday, August 26, Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese in Springdale held their opening ceremony for the Enrã food pantry. Due to Covid-19, there was a limited number of guests, with fifty in total that were present while practicing social distancing. At two o’clock that afternoon, the guests had gathered and began with an opening prayer to bless the event. Marshallese community leaders, representatives of the food pantry, and many others made an appearance in support of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. The ceremony consisted of prayers, special guest speeches, and a ribbon cutting to celebrate the beginning of this organization’s new project.
Leading up to the opening ceremony of the Enrã food pantry, the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese staff had worked tirelessly picking up donations and preparing the boxes of goods for their future food drives. The Enrã food pantry donors are as listed: Crystal Bridges, Springdale Public Schools, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Tyson, Seeds that Feed, DiVa and DuDe Outreach/Training Center, and King’s Chapel Church.
The Enrã food pantry is also in partnership with AenEmman. Together their goal is to provide to the Marshallese community with food they are familiar with and goods they are also accustomed towards. During the opening ceremony, the ribbon cutting was executed by the founder of Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, Melisa Laelan, and Leroij Kitene Tabu. Laelan was later interviewed by NWA Fox24 News and said as quoted, “What you’re seeing right here right now is really it’s telling a story of a resilient community. We’re here, we’re taking action and we’re addressing the needs of the community.” Alongside Laelan and Leroij Tabu were Consulate General of the Marshall Islands, Eldon Alik, and ACOM members Faith Laukon and Sandy Williams. Words of encouragement and gratitude were exchanged amongst the members and guests of the opening ceremony.
“I believe Enrã food pantry will be very helpful to our community”, stated coordinator Laukon, a “majority of the Marshallese community is at poverty level or lower. As long as this is, there will always be a need for supplemental foods and supplies.” She expressed her enthusiasm for her team’s project saying, “I am very proud of all the work ACOM has done to serve the community. This is a great addition to great work.”
On Friday, August 28, the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese Enrã food pantry held their first food drive. The event began four o’clock in the evening until supplies lasted. Back-to-school was their theme, so books, clothes, and sandals were included with the boxes of foods being handed out. A line of cars had already taken place an hour before the food drive began. According to ACOM’s cordinator, Faith Laukon, about three hundred families were helped and their first event was a success. Thanks to the amazing dedication and hard work of the members of Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, AenEmman, their funders, and donors, the Marshallese community can rest knowing Enrã food pantry will be in arm’s length ready to provide for their needs. To learn more about this nonprofit organization visit their Facebook page and website: https://www.arkansasmarshallese.org/