Fordyce, Arkansas – Despite the steady rain falling over Fordyce High School, volunteers rushed to distribute milk jugs and groceries to a line of cars stretching around the parking lot. In the aftermath of a tragic shooting at Mad Butcher grocery that claimed four lives and injured ten others, the small town of Fordyce with a population of 3,200 has been shaken to its core.
In the absence of its only grocery store, Fordyce residents have been grappling with the aftermath of the violence. While the store’s workers clean up, the community faces a lack of nearby alternatives for groceries. With the closest supermarkets located at least half an hour away in neighboring cities, many residents are left without convenient access to affordable, healthy food.
Darrin Brazil, the school’s basketball coach, spearheaded a food pickup effort with two former classmates to aid the community during this challenging time. Various sites like the school, city facilities, and churches have been established for residents to receive groceries as the store remains closed for cleanup.
The situation in Fordyce has shed light on the issue of “food deserts,” where communities lack access to affordable and nutritious food nearby. Similar efforts to address this concern arose in Buffalo after a tragic shooting at a supermarket in 2022.
Roderick Rogers, a city council member and pastor, shared how the tragedy has brought the community together, as they respond with love to overcome the challenges they face. The front of the Mad Butcher grocery store still bore the wounds of the tragic event, with a touching memorial set up for the victims.
As the store undergoes repairs and cleanup, community members like Elvis Smith, the school district’s maintenance director, expressed their deep sadness and concern over the impact the shooting has had. The Kentucky-based company owning Mad Butcher, Houchens Industries, is expected to reopen the store in the near future, providing a glimmer of hope for the residents.
The volunteers tirelessly working to support their community in this time of need have shown true strength and solidarity in the face of tragedy. As Fordyce residents navigate the challenges of the temporary closure of their only grocery store, they remain hopeful for the store’s swift reopening to restore a sense of normalcy in their daily lives.