Military & Family Readiness

11/10/2025

SilverStar gift 2025 is in full swing check out our NEW logo! and website for more information https://www.silverstargift.org/

11/05/2025

💰 Arkansas Banks & Credit Unions Helping Government Workers During the Shutdown (2025 Update)

If you or someone you know in Arkansas is missing pay due to the government shutdown, here’s what local banks and credit unions are offering right now:

🏦 Banks

First Service Bank
• 0% interest Government Shutdown Relief Loan for Arkansas National Guard members
• Loan amounts: $1,000–$2,500
• 0% interest for 120 days
• Must have lost pay due to the shutdown and have a checking account with the bank
👉 firstservicebank.com

FCNB Bank
• “FCNB Cares” program
• 0% APR loans up to $5,000 for 90 days for furloughed federal employees
• Overdraft forgiveness and penalty-free CD withdrawals for 90 days
👉 fcnb.com

First Arkansas Bank & Trust (FAB&T)
• Skip-a-pay on existing loans
• Temporary overdraft protection
• Early CD withdrawals without penalty
👉 fabandt.bank

Arvest Bank
• Disaster Relief Loan Program for affected customers
• Deferred payment options (interest may still accrue)
👉 arvest.com

💳 Credit Unions

Arkansas Federal Credit Union (AFCU)
• Short-term interest-free loans or paycheck-matching advances for eligible members
• Contact your local branch for details
👉 afcu.org

TruService Community Federal Credit Union
• Reduced or no-interest loans
• Payroll advances, skip-a-payment, and fee waivers
👉 truservice.net

Arkansas Health Center Federal Credit Union
• Deferred payment loans, skip-a-payment, and penalty-free CD withdrawals
👉 americascreditunions.org

Combined Federal Credit Union
• Deferred-payment and skip-a-payment programs
👉 americascreditunions.org

📝 Tips

• Bring proof of federal employment or Guard service (ID, pay stub, or LES).
• Ask if the offer is a true 0% APR loan or a deferred payment that still accrues interest.
• Many programs last only while the shutdown continues — apply soon.

11/03/2025

10/20/2025

📣 ATTENTION: ID Card Services Update 📣

The 188th Wing ID Card Section is currently issuing military identification cards by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

✅ Please click link below to schedule an appointment.

Consolidated ID Card Office Online

10/17/2025

⚠️ Shutdown Update: Day 16 for Military Families

💰 Pay & Planning Ahead: While many service members received mid-month pay yesterday, some populations were not paid, including Reservists currently on orders and federal civilian employees who remain furloughed. If you did receive a paycheck, now is the time to start planning ahead. You can review your budget, delay nonessential expenses, and identify trusted resources in case the next pay period is disrupted. If your active-duty pay was incorrect or incomplete, reach out to your local military finance office as soon as possible to address discrepancies.

🥫 Emergency Grocery Support: The need continues to grow. In less than two days, nearly 13,000 military families have registered for MFAN’s emergency grocery support. Today, boxes are being packed and shipped from Umoja to the first 1,000 families including Guardsmen, Reservists, and large active-duty families who are feeling the effects of delayed, reduced, or missing pay.

Every registration tells a story of resilience and real need, and every box is a reminder that this community stands together. If your family needs support, visit militarymeals.org to register.

If you’re in a position to help, please consider donating at combatmilitaryhunger.org. Your support provides direct grocery relief to military families across the country.

🏛️ Your Voice Matters: Today, the Senate is expected to vote on the Defense Appropriations Bill. While it is unclear if it will pass, and even if it does there are still more steps before it would become law, it represents a possible path toward ensuring troop pay and Pentagon funding. We encourage you to share you story and contact your federal elected officials to help them understand how the shutdown is affecting real families.

💡 Need Help or Reliable Information? For the latest verified updates and practical resources, visit Military OneSource at militaryonesource.mil. It remains fully operational during the shutdown and provides confidential support, financial counseling, and links to key assistance programs.

💙 Together, we respond. Military families take care of each other.

Boxes are leaving today, but the need keeps growing. Please give, act, and support military families who are struggling during this shutdown.

➡️ Donate today: combatmilitaryhunger.org
➡️ Request support: militarymeals.org
➡️ Take the largest independent survey of military families: milfam360.org

10/15/2025

Most Guard members serve one weekend monthly while balancing civilian careers now disrupted by contested federal deployments.

10/14/2025

***Edit, Friday October 17: We've had to pause our applications as we've passed 50,000 families requesting support, we need to process the current demand and hope to build the resources to open applications again soon. Please check the latest posts on our page for updates***

When the government shuts down, families keep going.

Military families are navigating growing uncertainty, from questions about future pay & allowances to the strain of daily life without clear answers.

That’s why MFAN is stepping up to help.

Starting today, military families can visit militarymeals.org to sign up for a free grocery box and Commissary gift card, shipped directly to their home. Each box from Umoja Health is packed with care to feed a family of four for a week.

💙 Active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members can verify their affiliation through SheerID at militarymeals.org. Once verified, follow the prompts on screen or check your email (and spam folder) for your registration form.

We’re working hard to reach as many families as possible, so please submit only one request per household and share this link with anyone in your network who may need support.

At your table, we stand with you.
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10/11/2025