Leaving Footprints on the Communities We Serve

As we celebrate our 100th year, ArcBest continues contributing to the communities that have supported us and have been a vital part of our culture for decades. Our commitment to living out our company’s Core Values and Mission goes far beyond the logistics industry — we’re dedicated to giving back generously to the areas where we live, operate and do business. As part of our Centennial Giving Campaign, we have partnered with various organizations and charities that share our Philanthropic Pillars of Community, Education and People. These are causes our employees deeply care about and are personally touched by or involved in.  

“During this Giving Season, we’re thankful for the connections we’ve built across our company’s footprint of more than 250 campuses and service centers. Through Centennial Giving, we’ve expanded our reach within and beyond the heartbeat of our organization in Fort Smith, Arkansas,” said Karen Barrera-Leon, manager of corporate social responsibility. “We’ve asked our people, who are at the heart of our success, to tell us what causes they care about the most, and it’s a privilege to celebrate our centennial by giving back to foundations and nonprofits that are making a difference in the world. 

Throughout 2023, here’s how ArcBest has strived to make a lasting impact:  

Local Giving 

For 100 years, we’ve called Fort Smith, Arkansas, home. In support of our city and state, ArcBest:  

  • Contributed $125,000 to build new trails in Chaffee Crossing — We’ve partnered with the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) to develop two segments that will connect ArcBest’s headquarters to the Wellness Park on the ACHE campus and the Chaffee Crossing Historic and Entertainment District. These additions will help increase mobility in the region and extend current trails to nearly 40 miles of multi-use, nature and mountain biking trails.  

  • Donated $100,000 to Arkansas Children’s Hospital — A flagship for emergency and critical care among ArcBest families and those across the state, this donation will support Arkansas Children’s mission of making children better today and healthier tomorrow.  

  • Pledged a $100,000 matching grant to The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties — This pledge is ongoing until December 31, 2023. With more than 500 area children in foster care at the time of this post, funds will go toward helping The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties purchase a larger building to serve more families and children.  

 

Spot-a-Trailer Program

Our Spot-a-Trailer Program has been ongoing throughout 2023. We invite anyone who spots ArcBest, ABF, Panther or U-Pack equipment to snap a picture and post it on social media using the hashtag #Heartof100 or submit it via email. For every photo received, the company will donate $100 to the quarter’s selected nonprofit ($25,000 each quarter, with a maximum total of $100,000). So far, we have achieved our goal to raise $25,000 in the year’s first three quarters and are on track to reach the goal this quarter. Funds will be donated to the following organizations:   

  • Feeding America — a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and local meal programs that aim to help people get the food and resources they need to thrive.  

  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.  

  • St. Christopher’s Development and Relief Fund — a truck driver charity that helps over-the-road semi-truck drivers and their families when a recent illness or injury has caused them to be out of work.  

  • Fisher House Foundation — builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital.   

 

ABF Freight Centennial Grant Program

Through our ABF Freight Centennial Grant Program, we’re giving back to communities across the country. Earlier this year, we invited field employees from our network of 240 ABF service centers to nominate local charities to receive funding. Applications went through an in-depth vetting process to ensure each partnership aligned with our Philanthropy Pillars and other guidelines. As a result of this process, we’re partnering with 89 nonprofit organizations and giving back a total of $147,000. Some of the selected agencies work to support foster care, eradicate food insecurity, advocate for veterans, fund scholarships or research for diagnosis, promote humane care for animals, and aid disaster relief efforts.  

Contributions for a Sustainable Future 

In April, we donated $50,000 to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), whose mission is to protect, manage and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail — the world’s longest hiking-only footpath. The trail, measuring roughly 2,190 miles in length, is home to various wildlife and ecosystems and passes within 100 miles of 37 ABF Freight Service Centers. As our company continues to focus on advancing sustainability, we look for opportunities that enable us to help create a healthier planet and empower our people to get involved. Through this donation, we’re helping the ATC pursue its mission to protect the Appalachian Trail.   

Continuing Our Spirit of Giving  

Along with providing industry-leading transportation and logistics solutions and serving our customers with excellence, ArcBest is committed to leaving a legacy of giving — one that our people and communities will remember and reflect on throughout our next 100 years. Learn more about our philanthropy efforts and how we get involved.