Located in Ashley County just north of the Louisiana border, Montrose is a tiny town with a population (2014) of 341 people. The residents are predominantly African-American (56%). It’s rural, agricultural country, and job opportunities are scarce. There are no supermarkets, libraries, barber shops or gas stations in town.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Fact Finder, as of 2014:

• 37.7% of children in Montrose under age 18 live below the poverty level
• 38.2% of all families live below the poverty level
• 50.8% of families have an annual income of less than $25,000
• 26.6% of families have an annual income of less than $15,000
• 24.6% of adults over 25 years of age never finished high school.
• 68.1% of Montrose homes are valued at less than $50,000.

 

F-to-F’s partner, the Full Gospel Church Outreach Ministry, is based in Hamburg, about 20 miles away. Arma Woods is the administrator and coordinator of the Outreach Ministry, which runs an emergency food pantry that helps about 300 families each month.  She is also Family-to-Family’s coordinating partner and liaison, recommending families in need of help and distributing donated food. In addition to hunger relief, the Ministry has established a clothing assistance program, a mentoring program to assist individuals leaving welfare (and those who are still receiving welfare), self-esteem workshops, an abstinence program for teens, and an abuse prevention program for troubled teens and families.

In Montrose, Family-to-Family partners with The Arkansas Foodbank Network to provide groceries for our sponsored families.

Community Contact:
Arma Woods
The Full Gospel Church Outreach Ministry
927 Hwy 82-B West
PO Box 164
Montrose, AR 71658

Sources: Montrose demographic and economic data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2009 American Community Survey; Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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