FORT SMITH – If you say Charolette Tidwell is on a mission, that might be a severe understatement.
The Fort Smith woman who used her own pension to start a food pantry is now credited with feeding over 7,000 people a month in our area. One person even described Tidwell as possibly being of a celestial nature.
“She is an angel that gives everything she can, and never expects anything in return.” Fort Smith resident Robyn Smith told People Magazine in 2013.
As the director of Antioch for Youth & Family, Tidwell has been selected as one of the 2017 Women of Worth honorees by makeup giant L’Oreal Paris for her efforts in not only feeding the hungry, but also the work she does in youth development and family assistance. She is one of ten women in the country to receive the award this year.
“We need to do the things that give a kid a sense of hope,” she says, “and that begins with making sure they have enough to eat. Even one child going hungry is one too many.”
It is an effort that has received attention from all over the place, but now Tidwell is back in the national spotlight for her efforts.
The Fort Smith Public Schools made mention on social media this week of the fact that L’Oreal Paris is giving one honoree a chance to bring home an additional $25,000 grant through a Facebook contest. According to their post, you can go to the L’Oreal Paris page and vote once a day through November 29th by “liking” the post about Tidwell.
“Charolette does so much to support our students and the Fort Smith community.” The District said. “Let’s show how much we can support her.”
The honoree said via the L’Oreal website that she is happy to receive the award.
“Being a Women of Worth honoree validates my journey to renew their hope – and it now gives me an even stronger platform to nourish the minds, bodies and souls of my community.”
