Arkansas is ranked 50 out of 50 for food insecurity, and that statistic stops being “data” the moment you picture a classmate wondering where dinner will come from. We sit down with Holden J, our 2026 Youth of the Year, to talk about why hunger became his platform, what food insecurity really looks like day to day, and why it can stay hidden even in communities that look like they’re doing fine from the outside.

We get practical fast. Holden breaks down simple ways to help that don’t require a huge budget or a perfect plan: donate what you can, volunteer at a food bank, support local drives, and consider building or stocking a blessing box so families can access food and essentials with dignity. We also talk about how community partners, sponsors, and donors make youth programs possible at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, and why giving time matters just as much as giving money.

Then we switch gears with a “this or that” game, share favorite memories from trips and conferences, and reflect on how advocacy grows through friendship, mentorship, and real support. From Washington, DC conversations with senators to the everyday work of showing up for kids, the takeaway is clear: community care is not theoretical, it’s built through action.

Subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcasts, share this with someone who cares about youth leadership and fighting hunger, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Where would a blessing box help most in your community?

A kid walks up to the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, shakes his hand, and says, “I want your job one day.” That sounds like a movie line until you hear what happened next and how it connects to youth leadership, mentorship, and big goals that start in ordinary places.

We’re joined by Ashley (today’s host) and Holden Jeffries, our 2026 Youth of the Year for Arkansas and local winner, to rewind his Boys and Girls Club journey from age six to senior year. Holden shares the small moments that built real confidence: after-school routines, summer field trips, gym games, a childhood talent show, and the friendships that stick for life. We also talk about how club programs create a bridge between school and home by teaching practical life skills and values, including Passport to Manhood and the mentors who helped shape Holden’s idea of what it means to show up for others.

Then we get very specific about the Youth of the Year process: the essays, resume, cover letter, recommendations, interviews, and the memorized speech that pushes teens to clarify their story and their platform. Holden explains why he chose food insecurity in Arkansas, how he raised funds for non-perishable food, supported blessing boxes, and worked to reduce the stigma around hunger. You’ll also hear how networking and courage opened doors, including time at national headquarters after that now-famous handshake.

If you care about teen leadership development, scholarship opportunities, community service, or the real impact of Boys and Girls Club programs, hit subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review. What cause would you choose as your platform?

Food insecurity can feel like a problem that belongs to “someone else,” until you realize your community needs you and it needs you now. We’re back for part two with Kayla and Rachel from Walmart, and we get practical about how real hunger relief works on the ground, from your local food bank to the nationwide partnerships that help food reach families.

We talk about simple actions that actually add up: volunteering at a food pantry, showing up consistently, and using campaigns like Walmart's Fight Hunger. Spark Change to turn everyday shopping into support through participating items, register roundups, and online giving connected to Feeding America. We also share the side of corporate philanthropy that people don’t always see, including how much Walmart associates care and how unsold food donations help reduce food waste while supporting local hunger relief.

Then we zoom out to what happens when disaster hits. Kayla and Rachel explain how Walmart disaster relief can bring essentials into a community fast, including services set up in parking lots and partner support that helps people get through the first chaotic days. We also highlight Spark Good programs and grant paths that can help smaller nonprofits, plus volunteer options for introverts who want to contribute with skills like graphic design or application support. If you’ve ever wondered how to help with hunger in Arkansas or where to start with community volunteering, this conversation gives you a clear first step.

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