As kids across NWA enjoy the last few days of summer break, many students and families are feeling stressed or unprepared to go back to school. So many community organizations want to help! 

• Not alone: The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA is hosting a supply drive-through event today from 4-6 pm. in their office parking lot at 2601 SW D St. in Bentonville.
• Just a trim: Ozark Chop Shop will provide free haircuts for Oakdale Students at Oakdale Middle School’s Open House on Aug. 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Check out a list of other back-to-school events HERE. 

Since 1953, Decatur has gathered the town and visitors from all around for a delicious chicken bbq and live country music. Join in on the fun this Saturday at Decatur Veteran’s Park. 

• Arkansas, Y’all: Ending the night, Arkansas Country Music Award-winning artist and fellow Arkansan, Blane Howard, will be performing. 
• A full day: Other festivities throughout the day include a 5K, car show, parade, corn hole tournament, and more. 

See more details and a full schedule HERE.  

Furthering their commitment to sustainability, Tyson Foods hosted its first ever Demo Day and will invest in six start-up companies that are bringing innovative ideas to the food production market.

• Representing Bentonville: FR8relay, a Bentonville-based logistics startup, made the top six out of more than 120 applicants from 23 countries who presented ideas to senior leadership and advisors of Tyson Ventures at Tyson’s Demo Day.
• Solutions: The six startups will receive mentorship and other partnership opportunities with Tyson as they pursue sustainability solutions in areas like greenhouse gas emissions, food waste, animal welfare, packaging, soil health, water management, and more.

Read more about the six startups HERE. 

Last year, a couple's roadtrip around the country resulted in not only new folks moving to the area, but a whole new business and more options for bike rentals with it.

• On the map: In 2021, Morgan and Taylor Baumgardner were on an RV trip and heard about NWA's trail system. They decided to swing through and check it out, and loved it so much they "didn't want to leave".
• Solving a problem: After experiencing issues getting rental bikes in the area, the Baumgardners decided to address the problem themselves, and Encore Bike Rentals was born. In January before they had a single bike rental, they joined U of A's GORP program initial cohort, receiving training and $15,000 in non-dilutive seed funding.

Now, Encore is providing bikes for rent across three cities in NWA via a concierge service. Read the story HERE and check out Encore's fleet HERE.

One more restaurant that absolutely blew us away at the BITE event in Rogers this past week was KDK's Chicken & Waffles.

• Cluckin' good: The local family owned food truck in south Fayetteville is worth a trip and calorie splurge. The owners, Keith and Kathy, personally operate the food truck and have been in business and serving the community since 2019.
• Direct line: The food truck is open 11a-8p Tuesday through Saturday. Keith recommends calling him before you visit to confirm they're open - his number can be found on their IG page. We highly recommend the Loaded Waffle Fries (shown above), an off-the-menu item you wont regret.

Learn more about this legendary food truck and the great folks who operate it HERE.