Care Network

Pros

• It is one of the best food pantries in Benton County, with kind and friendly staff and easy appointments.
• It is the best food bank in Rogers, with loving and helpful people.
• The Root Cellar provides 5-star service from start to finish.
• It's a great place to get taxes done, with patient and knowledgeable staff.
• CARE is among the best charities in Benton County, thanks to generous volunteers.
• CCC is awesome.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and caring.
• It is the best food pantry in Northwest Arkansas, offering meat, milk, eggs, produce, and more.
• They have great frozen and regular foods with produce.
• Kim and her entire staff are kind, caring, and helpful.
• The tax prep team is patient and provides quality service.
• The volunteers are great and provide a much-needed service.

Cons

• Rachel was very rude and talked crap about the reviewer, downplaying them like an idiot; the reviewer does not recommend.
• The pantry wasn't open when visited.
• The reviewer noted that the basket contained expired items, including meat, and that the chocolate milk was expired and bloated.
• The reviewer stated that they do not recommend the organization due to rude, impatient, and disrespectful staff.
• The reviewer spent seven hours waiting in the lobby over two days and said they would never use the tax office again.
• Bridgett was not very friendly, and the reviewer would not recommend them to anyone.
• The reviewer found that much of the food was expired and had to be discarded.
• A large amount of fresh produce tended to rot and attract bugs before it could be used.

Review

In Benton County and the Rogers area, a network of charitable work quietly threads through the community, weaving together a pantry that feels like a lifeline and a tax-help center that many rely on year after year. The stories here paint a picture of a place where staff and volunteers show up with a shared mission: to care for neighbors by offering food, dignity, and practical help. For many, the experience echoes "family," with people who hope you'll get better by loving what they do and by the steady, patient care they provide. The sentiment runs strong: this is a place you can depend on, where kindness is as important as the services they offer.

The pantry itself earns lavish praise. Review after review highlights generous food offerings, a broad selection, and a sense of abundance that makes a real difference for families in need. People describe fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, and a variety of staples, all delivered with warmth and efficiency. The experience is often framed as more than just groceries - it's a thoughtful, supportive visit where you're treated with respect and dignity. In peak seasons, the generosity sometimes expands beyond food to items people can select, like during Thanksgiving and Christmas when merchandise such as Keurig machines, electronics, clothes, and blankets become part of the pantry's reach. The overall tone is that this pantry is among the best in the area, a reliable resource that brings real relief and a sense of community to those who walk through its doors.

Staff and volunteers are repeatedly praised for their competence, patience, and genuine care. Rave reviews mention specific individuals who make a difference - Rachael at the tax center is lauded for her deep knowledge of tax issues and her ability to explain complex matters clearly, leaving people feeling confident about their schedules and returns. Kim and her team are described as kind, caring, and incredibly helpful, with many grateful for the consistent, thoughtful service they provide. Nancy is singled out as especially pleasant and helpful, while others recount feeling seen and supported by friendly, capable people who take the time to answer questions and smooth the process. The tax-prep team is repeatedly recognized as patient and professional, with the sense that their work helps people navigate challenging financial situations with dignity.

Yet the experience isn't uniformly perfect in every review. A number of readers recount frustrations - long waits, appointment hiccups, and moments of perceived rudeness or disorganization. One reviewer recalls a very negative interaction with a staff member identified as Rachel, who was described as rude and dismissive, a stark contrast to the otherwise supportive tone of the community. Another account highlights a lack of openness and chaotic appointment handling, with days that dragged on for hours and a sense that walk-ins were treated differently than those with appointments. There are also warnings about the wait times becoming a burden for those without flexible schedules, and a sense that "all-day" experiences can be wearing. Together, these voices remind readers that while the help is deeply valued, there is room for improvement in communication and efficiency.

Food quality concerns appear alongside these service critiques. Some reviews celebrate the pantry's generosity and freshness, while others report expired items or spoilage - meats, milk, and produce that arrived in less-than-usable condition. One visitor described taking food home only to discover it had gone bad, leading to disappointment and a difficult choice about what to do next. The tension between generosity and logistics becomes a central theme: the volunteers' dedication and the community's need are real, but ensuring every item is safe and usable can be a challenge. Comparisons to other local organizations reflect a thoughtful ongoing effort to tighten operations and ensure consistent quality, while still keeping the door open for those who rely on these services.

Despite the occasional misstep, the overall impression remains that this network of services is a cornerstone for many people. The combination of a thriving food pantry, compassionate and skilled staff, and accessible yet sometimes imperfect processes illustrates a community trying to do right by its members. The stories of Christmas gifts going uncollected or a package getting misrouted speak to the complexity of running a large, multi-faceted operation with limited resources, while the countless testimonies of help received, trust built, and lives changed show why people keep coming back. The organization is described not merely as a charity, but as a vital hub where neighbors help neighbors, and where generosity compounds into practical support that can alter a person's day, and sometimes their week or month.

In the end, the message that emerges is one of deep gratitude and hopeful realism. Many reviewers celebrate the good that happens - friendly faces, patient tax advice, generous food, and a willingness to go the extra mile for those who need it most. They acknowledge the moments when things don't go perfectly, but they remain convinced of the core value: a compassionate community striving to lift each other up. The Root Cellar and its companions are described as a beacon in Northwest Arkansas, offering not just sustenance but a sense of belonging, the confidence to navigate tough times, and the assurance that there are people who care - even when the day-to-day challenges of running a large nonprofit get in the way.

This part of Rogers, Arkansas offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. With several pharmacies, physicians' offices, and hospitals nearby, residents have access to essential healthcare resources. The diverse dining options ranging from Mexican cuisine to American classics cater to different preferences. Additionally, the proximity to parks like Lake Atalanta Park and Blowing Springs Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreational activities and relaxation. The area also features transportation options with two airports nearby for convenient travel. Places of worship such as Fellowship Bible Church and St Stephen Catholic Church offer spiritual support for those seeking religious community involvement. Overall, this neighborhood in Rogers presents a well-rounded environment suitable for senior living with its range of amenities and services available.

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Pharmavite (1.9 miles)
• ""Walmart Stores"" (2.1 miles)
• Harps Food Stores (2.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Natural Hearing Centers (0.4 miles)
• Boozman Hof Eye Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Dr Hulls Office (1.3 miles)
• Community Clinic Rogers Medical (1.3 miles)
• Garrett Goss Clinic (1.6 miles)
• Highlands Oncology Group P.A. (1.8 miles)
• Daniel S. Bradford, MD (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy (1 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Applebee's (1.4 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.5 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.5 miles)
• Mojito's Mexican Grill (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Tracie Kirkland, APN (1.7 miles)
• Emily Turner, APN (1.7 miles)
• Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville (1.9 miles)
• Mercy Hospital (2.2 miles)
• 4Th Floor Waiting Room (2.2 miles)
• Everest Rehabilitation Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Decision Point - Preferred Family Healthcare (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Malco Pinnacle Hills 12 (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Onyx Coffee Lab (2.3 miles)
• 7 Brew Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Onyx Coffee La (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Parks

• Lake Atalanta Park (3 miles)
• Memorial Park (3.3 miles)
• Orchards Park (3.4 miles)
• Osage Park (3.5 miles)
• Bentonville Bark Park (5.8 miles)
• Coler Mtb Preserve (5.8 miles)
• Blowing Springs Park (8.3 miles)

Transportation

• Bentonville Municipal Airport (VBT) (3.4 miles)
• Rogers Executive Carter Field Airport ROG (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Fellowship Bible Church (3.7 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (3.9 miles)
• St Stephen Catholic Church (4.2 miles)
• Endtime Harvest Church & School (5 miles)