Volunteers make short work of boxing food

PRESCOTT – Roughly 75 people showed up Thursday morning at the Potlatch Building to help pack boxes to be given to the needy Friday morning.

The first step in the process was to build the boxes, which meant taping the bottom together so it would hold what would be put inside. Overall, some 600 boxes were prepared and loaded with different items, including paper towels and toilet paper. The foodstuff included: pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter, crackers, corn meal, flour, sugar, potatoes, pinto beans, grits, soup and macaroni and cheese.

The event was planned in military precision with Amy McLane, with the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), leading the way. McLane barked orders on what went where and how the boxes were to be packed so they would hold everything. Assembly lines were formed with someone handing out empty boxes. Items were placed inside with the boxes slid to the next station. At the end of the line the boxes lid was folded in and stacked against the wall.

Meat will be included in what’s handed out Friday morning. It was left in a refrigerated truck to prevent spoilage. Joey Beavers, police chief with the Prescott Police Department, said the fairgrounds will be patrolled to prevent theft, and the gates will be locked.

Before anyone was allowed to handle the food, they had to go to the nurse’s station and get their temperature checked. From there they were given a mask and gloves.