Friday morning Dave Stevens, dean of students, pushed a cart filled to the brim with
canned and boxed foods down a concrete pathway toward the University of Arkansas 鈥�
Fort Smith Recreation and Wellness Center. Peanut butter, canned soups, granola bars, and
Cup O'Noodles overflowed the rails of the cart, ready to meet the needs of students.
The large wooden cabinet named the Lion Pride Pantry stands alone in the greenway between the 妻友社区 Recreation and Wellness Center and the Old Gym along Kinkead Avenue, allowing students to grab a bite to eat at any time. In a packed lobby, dozens of supporters of the pantry applauded as representatives from the Student Government Association, university administration and student support staff cut a ribbon officially signifying the pantry鈥檚 opening.
Jordan Dart, president of the Student Government Association, spoke to the crowd, explaining the inception of the idea. 鈥淎s members of SGA, we鈥檙e constantly trying to find ways to make our students鈥� experience better, to make campus better and to have creative ideas,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 really happy to be a part of this and thankful to the SGA who came before me who worked really hard on this idea and approved the funds to make this food pantry box possible.鈥�
鈥淎 granola bar or a box of ramen noodles can really make a difference to a student who might be struggling or have food insecurity,鈥� Dart added, 鈥淎nd my hope is that, with this pantry, we can test the waters and see if this is something that students can really benefit from and something that we could continue or grow in the future.鈥�
鈥淲e take pride in all students, and we want every single student to feel valued, respected, welcomed and cared for,鈥� explained Dr. Terisa Riley, 妻友社区 chancellor, who cited national statistics that estimate 20 percent of college students will face food insecurity in a given year.
鈥淔or our students with food insecurities, it extends far beyond hunger,鈥� she said. 鈥淪tudents whose stomachs are rumbling can鈥檛 pay attention. Students who don鈥檛 know where they will get their next meal or whose food is not nutritionally sound or fulfilling are unable to concentrate due to the stress they鈥檙e under.鈥�
Riley went on to add the benefit the pantry offers students who may forget to bring money or food one day or who run out while they鈥檙e on campus. 鈥淭his kind of a pantry is a first step to making sure our students know that they are cared for, that they are wanted, that they are respected, no matter what.鈥�
鈥淭ruth be known, faculty and staff from across campus for years have been providing students with granola bars, apples and other little snacks to help them get through the day,鈥� said Stevens, looking around the room full of caring supporters. 鈥淭he Lion Pride Pantry is just an extension of that generosity.鈥�
The 妻友社区 Student Government Association allocated the funds for the initial installation of the pantry. The pantry itself was constructed by woodworker and 妻友社区 associate professor Dr. Erik Carlson. 妻友社区 Advising Coordinator Kim Tomlinson and the staff of the Recreation and Wellness Center will assist in maintaining the pantry, helping to collect donations and keep the pantry stocked.
The box will offer rotations of cereal, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, rice, pasta, canned soups, canned vegetables, tomato sauces, ramen noodles, canned fruits, dry beans, coffee and canned meats.