The Saline County Library held the “Battle of the Businesses” once again in November and they are now announcing the winning business with the top number of food donations to this drive. Read more below about the program and top three businesses.
Above, representatives from Republic Services are pictured with a flatbed trailer, filled with bottled water.
Republic Services was named the number one collector, by donating 3,478 food, hygiene, or clothing items. The previous year’s winner was First Security Bank, with 2,028 items.
“Republic Services business unit in Little Rock was so happy to support the Saline County residents with donations for Battle of the Businesses!” Said Jerry Coleman, General Manager of Republic Services. “We strive on being human-centered and giving back to our community. This was a great way to partner with the Saline County Library to give back!”
Above, representatives from Arcwood Environmental came in 3rd place with 605 items donated.
From November 3-16, the Saline County Library organized a food drive aimed at local businesses to donate food, hygiene products, and winter clothing. Businesses competed in this contest to donate the most items for the library food pantries and Warm Wishes program, with the winner receiving the Battle of the Businesses Golden Heart Belt. The Golden Heart Belt is 3-D printed using the Library Makerspace.
In 2023, the Saline County Library collected a little over 1,000 food and hygiene items during the “Pie a Librarian” contest. In 2024, just under 3,000 items were collected, tripling donations and setting a new record. And this year in 2025, that number has skyrocketed to double that with a total of 6,981 items donated.
“I am so happy and constantly amazed at the generosity of Saline County. I am so grateful to everyone who participated in the Battle of the Businesses as well as those who continue to regularly donate to our food and hygiene pantry. It truly saves lives.” said Madison Ogden, Public Services Manager at Saline County Library. “My biggest hope for the pantry is that we can make it available to more people and to stop the stigma associated with asking for help. These resources are so important in our communities.”
Above, representatives from Bryant Family Pharmacy are pictured with items from their donation box.
The runners up to the contest included:
- 2nd place: Merchants and Farmers Bank – 754 items
- 3rd place: Arcwood Environmental – 605 items
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- Above, representatives from Univ. of Ark. Extension Office.
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- Above, representatives from Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union.
The Saline County Library would like to thank all participating businesses, patrons, and employees, for their generous donations to the community pantry:
- Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union
- Arcwood Environmental
- Burger Shack
- Bryant Family Pharmacy
- City of Bryant
- Davis Branding Company
- Edwards Food Giant
- Edward Jones Investments – Amanda Leija
- Harrison Family Pharmacy
- Kwikstitches Custom Embroidery
- Merchants and Farmers Bank Benton
- Merchants and Farmers Bank Bryant
- Proland Title in Bryant
- Republic Services
- Saline County Clerk’s Office
- Saline County Courthouse
- Texas Roadhouse
- and UofA Extension Office.
Anyone can still donate food, hygiene, and clothing items to the pantry and Warm Wishes program at the Saline County Library. Call them for info at 501-778-4766.
The Saline County Library has been serving the residents of Saline County since 1931 and has three locations: Benton, Bryant, and East End. Each location provides wireless access computing as well as desktop computers for guest use and several other non-traditional items such as video games, cake pans, small tools, and more. The Saline County Library also provides a variety of events and community outreach programs. For a full list of services and upcoming events, visit www.salinecountylibrary.org or call 501-778-4766. For more information about our programs at the library, including our hours for each location, visit www.SalineCountyLibrary.org.
See MySaline’s full list of events in Saline County at www.mysaline.com/events!
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