Fighting Hunger Across Our Community Project HOPE Food Bank
Mardi Gras in the Spa is proud to support Project HOPE Food Bank in 2027 as we continue our mission of turning a great community celebration into something that can make a real difference for our neighbors.
A Resource for an Entire Network
When people hear “food bank,” they sometimes picture a building where individuals simply stop by to pick up food. Project HOPE’s impact is much broader than that.
Based in Hot Springs, Project HOPE supplies affordable and nutritious food to a network of food pantries, shelters, feeding programs, children’s organizations and other nonprofit partners that serve people facing hunger.
One Food Bank. A Much Bigger Impact.
Project HOPE has grown into an important regional resource in the fight against hunger.
Making Every Resource Go Farther
Project HOPE works behind the scenes with organizations that are already serving families, children, seniors and people in crisis.
Programs Designed Around Real Needs
Project HOPE approaches food insecurity in several different ways because hunger doesn’t look the same for every person or every family.
Food Subsidy Program
Partnerships with retailers and distributors help Project HOPE obtain nutritious food at wholesale prices so partner organizations can stretch their resources and serve more people.
Emergency Food Boxes
Emergency food boxes provide immediate assistance during crisis situations and can be distributed through schools, clinics, emergency rooms and other community organizations.
School Backpack Program
Weekend food assistance helps children who depend on school meal programs during the week bridge the gap when school isn’t in session.
Community Partnerships
Project HOPE works with pantries, shelters, children’s homes, schools and other programs already connected to the people they serve.
Local Support With Regional Reach
Project HOPE is based right here in Hot Springs, but the food moving through its doors reaches partner organizations across multiple Arkansas counties.
That broader reach is one of the reasons we believe Project HOPE is such a natural partner for Mardi Gras in the Spa.
What starts here in Hot Springs can help strengthen organizations serving people throughout our region.
Born From Seeing a Need
Project HOPE grew from local conversations about food insecurity and the challenges community organizations faced obtaining enough affordable food for the people they served.
Founder Ted Thompson became involved in the issue after volunteering locally and seeing firsthand how difficult it could be for organizations helping people in crisis to obtain adequate food.
Because the Impact Can Reach Farther
From the beginning, Mardi Gras in the Spa has been about more than throwing a party.
We want the success of our events to create opportunities to help people facing hunger, crisis and food insecurity. As Mardi Gras in the Spa grows, we want that impact to grow too.
By supporting a food bank that supplies dozens of community organizations, the support generated by Mardi Gras in the Spa has the potential to ripple outward through pantries, shelters, schools and feeding programs serving people across our region.
How Mardi Gras Becomes Something More
Every sponsor, ticket, volunteer and person who attends helps us build events that can do more than simply entertain.
We Celebrate
We create memorable events that bring people together in the heart of Hot Springs.
Our Community Supports
Businesses, sponsors, volunteers and guests come together to make those events possible.
Our Community Benefits
The success of the celebration helps us support organizations addressing real needs.
Support Project HOPE Directly
You don’t have to wait for Mardi Gras in the Spa to help Project HOPE. The food bank welcomes donations, volunteers, advocates and community partners throughout the year.
Helping Turn Celebration Into Hope
On January 30 and February 6, we’ll gather to eat, dance, dress up, celebrate and enjoy Mardi Gras together.
But when the music stops and the beads are put away, we want something meaningful to remain.
That’s why we’re proud to make Project HOPE Food Bank part of Mardi Gras in the Spa 2027.
Party with a purpose.
Celebrate Hot Springs.
Help feed our neighbors.