“I have come to realize that the only accomplishments worth discussing, are those we do for others.” – Nate Walls

Second Helpings

Nate Walls is the owner of Secondhand Smoke.  When the pandemic hit, he couldn't sit idly by while many in the community went hungry, and what started as cooking meals for neighbors in need turned into something else.  A nonprofit called Second Helpings.

“I have come to realize that the only accomplishments worth discussing, are those we do for others.”  Nate explained.

Nate cultivated his skills as a chef during his years in the Army by whipping up some killer barbecue and comfort food.  He’s served thousands since then.  And, when his service in the US Army ended, he kept turning out burnt ends and other amazing barbeque in his restaurant, Secondhand Smoke.  But, the Army and his restaurant turned out to be only two of his first steps toward something more.  Something not originally part of his life plan.

“Because I’m a chef and restaurant owner, I had firsthand experience in witnessing people who had everything, quickly have nothing!  Suddenly many people around me didn’t have stable living conditions or food.” Nate said as his naturally bright smile faded into a storm cloud shadowed appearance. 

Then, the rainclouds shadowing his face quickly dispersed as he recalled the moment at which he remembered the almost “lightening-delivered” revelation he had.

“I just knew that my mission is to feed people in our community. So, I started Second Helping NWA, a non-profit organization committed to providing food for local people in the community with the support of businesses, private citizens, and every day folks like you and me.”  Nate explained as his sunshine smile reappeared.

Nate fell in love with cooking when he was 6 years old!  He carried that love into basic training when he enrolled in the Army. During basic training in Fort Knox, he learned a lot about himself as a man, and as a cook. It’s where he honed his skills, and when it was time to move on, he enrolled into cooking school at Ft. Jackson.

Since then, Nate has always been able to see “his next step.”  It’s one of his natural talents.  But, this new step, the calling that led to the founding of Second Helping NWA allowed him to discover something about else about himself.

“I have been in the NWA community for over 20 years. My plan is to continue to support the community with the food we love and share. I like to say ‘Where Old Fashioned BBQ Intersects with Community Service.’”  Nate said as the words rolled off his tongue like thunder; obvious that his statement was more than just words.

When the pandemic hit, Nate Walls couldn't sit idly by while many in the community went hungry. And, what started as cooking meals for neighbors in need turned into something else, the next, unexpected, calling in his life.  His gift to the people with whom he lives and loves, a is nonprofit gift called Second Helpings.