United Way of Fort Smith

09/02/2026

🛍️ We Need Your Plastic Bags!

Have a cabinet overflowing with plastic grocery bags? We can put them to good use! 🙌

Our Meals for Kids Backpack Program is in need of clean plastic grocery bags to help us prepare and distribute weekend food bags to children in our community.

Instead of throwing them away, donate them to The Clearinghouse and help us keep Meals for Kids moving each week! 💛

📍 Drop off at The Clearinghouse, 4420 Wheeler Ave., Fort Smith
🕗 Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM

Every little donation helps us serve our kids! 🛍️❤️

09/01/2026

Don't miss the Fort Smith Boys Home Auto Show on September 12th. Listen in for details! 5NEWS Daren Bobb

This year's event is set for Saturday, September 12th. Daren finds out more about what to expect.

09/01/2026

08/29/2026

08/27/2026

August has been all about coming together at ArcBest!

Throughout the month, we’ve had the privilege of sharing United Way of Fort Smith Area’s mission and the impact of our work through campaign presentations with ArcBest employees.

These conversations are an important part of our annual campaign because they give employees the opportunity to see how their generosity helps create a stronger, healthier community and provides opportunities for people across our six-county service area.

We are especially grateful to our 2026 Campaign Chair, Bridget Jones from ABB Motors and Drives US , for joining us for these presentations. Bridget brings such incredible passion and enthusiasm to the United Way mission, and her commitment to inspiring others to give, advocate and get involved is truly making a difference.

Thank you, ArcBest, for continuing to invest in our community and for giving your employees the opportunity to be part of something bigger. Every gift matters. Every act of kindness matters.

Fort Smith Boys Home Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs Girls Inc of Fort Smith Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Center Project Compassion Harbor House, Inc. Community Services Clearinghouse The Next Step Homeless Services

08/27/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Kennedy Holland, Miss Arkansas 2025, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Power of the Purse!

Join us on October 21st at the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center for an inspiring afternoon celebrating the power of women, community, and—most importantly—the power of a book to change a child’s life.

Kennedy brings a passion for service and a heart for making a difference, and we can’t wait to hear from her!

Even better, proceeds from Power of the Purse benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, helping put a new, age-appropriate book into the hands of children in our community every month.

Because a book is more than a book—it’s a moment of connection, a spark of imagination, and a chance to dream bigger.

Mark your calendar for October 21st and join us for Power of the Purse!

For sponsorship or ticket information, contact Angie at [email protected]

08/25/2026

Our hearts are broken at the news of the passing of Dolly Parton.

For the United Way of Fort Smith Area, Dolly’s legacy will not only be her music but also her passion for early childhood literacy. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been part of our community for over 20 years.

In 2006, United Way brought the program to our area, and since then, 396,162 books have been mailed to local children. What started with one zip code in Sebastian County is now available to children in a six-county service area spanning Crawford, Franklin, Logan, and Sebastian counties in Arkansas, and LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma. Thousands of children have learned to read while sitting on their parents' laps with a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

In 2022, United Way staff received an invitation, along with other affiliates throughout the State, to attend a private concert with Dolly at the Governor’s Mansion in honor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library being available to children in all counties. This was one of the highlights of the careers of all of us!

Dolly will forever be remembered as one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of our time. But to us, she will also be remembered as “The Book Lady.”
Arkansas Imagination Library

08/25/2026

We’re excited to share photos from our recent Fill the Bus school supply drive, as we welcomed local schools and organizations to pick up supplies for students in their communities. Together, we collected over 40,000 packages of supplies!

Thanks to everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped make this year a success. Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of students across 33 schools and organizations in our six-county area, helping them head into the new school year ready to learn, grow, and succeed.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that shows up for its students!

08/24/2026

A Cheer-Worthy Thank You!

A huge thank you to the Hackett High School Cheerleaders for helping us sort school supplies collected during Fill the Bus!

Your hard work helped us organize the generous donations that went to students in school districts across our six-county service area. We are so grateful for young people who are willing to give their time and energy to make a difference!

Thank you, Hackett cheerleaders, for helping us!