Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Needs List

Our Current Needs

We are so grateful to the Northwest Arkansas community for their generosity. It is only with community support that we can continue to provide a safe haven and loving care to the children who need us the most. Click the buttons below to find out how you can help meet the needs of the children in our care.

Walmart Registry

Items purchased from the Walmart Registry can be delivered directly to the Shelter.

Kitchen Needs
peanut butter
macaroni and cheese
BBQ sauce
canned vegetables
Ziplock bags (quart and gallon size)
Mayonnaise
Pasta Sauce
paper towels
sugar

Clothing Needs
Men’s winter shirts – Small
Men’s Jeans – waist sizes 32-34, all lengths
Women’s bras – cup size B
Women’s summer shirts – Medium and Large
Women’s summer pajamas – S, M, L, XL
Women’s jeans – sizes 0, 1, 2
Boy’s 5T summer and winter pajamas
Boy’s jeans – sizes 6, 7, 12, 14

Miscellaneous Needs
Hairbrushes
Paper towels

Drop Off Donations

At this time, all used clothing and other items are only being accepted at The Shelter Shop.
New items, clothing and food can be delivered to the Shelter.

Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter
860 NW Vaughn Road
Bentonville, AR 72713
Donations are accepted Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

All other donations are being accepted at
The Shelter Shop
2700 W Walnut
Rogers, AR 72758
Donations are accepted Thursday through Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Thank you so much for your support of our kids!

Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.” The sentiment above was recently shared with me by a 14-year-old named Wesley. At first, I was thrilled to hear it. I was so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That […]

Read more about WesleyImpact stories

Meet Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.”

The sentiment above was recently shared with me by a 14-year-old named Wesley. At first, I was thrilled to hear it. I was so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That means that we’re doing our job well. That means that we’re fulfilling our mission.

Right?

But then, as what he said began to sink in, it actually made me very sad. Shouldn’t this young man want to be in a home? Shouldn’t he want to be part of a family? So, why, out of all the places he has been, does he want to be here?

His understanding of home and family is so much different than mine. A home, to him, means conflict and struggle.  It means constantly being hyper aware and ready to fight or flee at any moment. It means feeling alone and frightened, but never being able to show fear or weakness. It means growing up way too fast.

At the Shelter, Wesley is surrounded by people who care about him, 24 hours a day. He has a routine and knows what to expect from day to day. He never has to question whether he will have clean clothing or enough to eat. He knows that his education is important and that his teachers will do everything they can to keep him on track. He knows that we want him to have the best future possible.

I wish every child in Arkansas had a loving, supportive home. I wish we could close the doors of the Shelter forever. Unfortunately, there will always be children like Wesley. To him, the Shelter is more of a family than he has ever known. So, we will keep our doors open, and our arms open even wider, for the children who need us.

Rick Brazile,
Sr. Director of Finance
Interim Executive Director

Due to a rough childhood, I had lost all hope in life. The Shelter changed my life for the better. I’ve been given opportunities I never, ever thought I could get in life.”

Rhiannon, age 17

I love it here because I feel safe. The staff are here for me when I need them. Plus, I got to go to a Razorback game!

Jesse, age 11

I went to the on-site school which I liked because it gave me one-on-one time and that’s what I needed to help get my grades up and catch up on all my credits so I can graduate. I would like to thank all of the staff at the Shelter for making me and my son feel safe and taken care of.

Teresa, age 17