From Monday, December 4, to Wednesday, December 20, both branches of the library are hosting a food and hygiene item drive to benefit members of the community. The Benton branch is located at 1800 Smithers Drive, Benton, AR 72015. The Bryant branch is located at 201 Prickett Road, Bryant, AR 72022.

Patrons are asked to bring donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene items to either library branch. In order to incentivize patrons to donate as much as possible, the library has added a twist to the drive. Each of the donation boxes will display the face of a different Saline County librarian. The donations will serve as “votes.” At the end of the drive, the librarian whose box receives the highest number of donations will be pied in the face during Holiday Storytime at the Farmer’s Market. Holiday Storytime at the Farmer’s Market will take place at the Benton Farmer’s Market from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Thursday, December 21. The Benton Farmer’s Market is located at 117 Ashley, Benton, AR 72015.

The library has requested that patrons do not donate any food in glass jars or foods that have passed their expiration date. Examples of acceptable food items include: Vienna sausages, ramen noodles, Easy Mac, tuna pouches, granola bars, pudding cups, single-serve cereals, and fruit cups. Examples of needed hygiene items include: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and diapers.