UALR Trojan Food Pantry Helps the Hungry - KARK

Published 09/20 2016 04:04PM

Updated 09/20 2016 04:04PM

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The UALR Trojan Food Pantry opened its doors less than a year ago and is already making a difference in the lives of hungry students, faculty and staff.

The student run operation is filling a huge need on campus.

Each week, Sarah Carter and other volunteers stock the pantry with donated goods.

"It makes me feel really good, like I'm actually starting to make a difference before I can even graduate," says the UALR senior.

It's Sarah's final year. She's studying social work and aspiring to advocate for those in need. She's already got a jump start to making a difference on campus.

"I can see it on their faces. It's just the weight on their shoulders, they kinda relax when they get this bag of food," she says.

The pantry works like this. Volunteers fill up a bag with canned goods like beans, but each bag is different. It depends on how many people live in a household. For instance, a family of one would just get 1 soup.

It's no secret that nutrition is key to function, especially inside the classroom.

This year, UALR officials sent out a survey and found more than 50 percent of students, staff and faculty go hungry all year long.

"They're like, 'thank you so much' and it's just like there's nothing I can say because I'm so overwhelmed," Sarah explains.

According to Feeding America, 10 percent of college students are food insecure.

The university thinks high tuition rates and non-traditional students with families are some factors contributing to the need for a Trojan food pantry.

"It's the economy. It's students struggling with the cost of tuition and paying their bills, " says Betsy Hart, Asst. Director of UALR's Community Connection Center.

Volunteers do their best to keep this room stocked, through food drives and partnering with community organizations.

"I've just really felt the community come together here," Sarah says.

It's a team effort to curb hunger and lend a hand to fellow Trojans who need it most.

Since opening in February, the UALR Trojan Food Pantry has helped 600 households. That's 2-thousand people.

Nearly 10 college campuses in Arkansas have food pantries.