University of Arkansas Hosting Food Drive

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is sponsoring its fourth annual food drive in acknowledgement of World Food Day. The drive kicks off on Sept. 16 and will continue through Oct. 16, when World Food Day is observed.

World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness and understanding and to encourage a year-around action to alleviate hunger. The University of Arkansas has been named as an official collection site for this year’s event. All the collections will be matched on a 10-to-1 basis up to 60,000 pounds by Tyson Foods Inc., the event’s chief sponsor, and donated to the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.

The collection of items at the Troy football game is being held in conjunction with the fourth annual Southeastern Conference “Together We CAN Food Drive.”

Collection boxes can be found at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Gate 16) on game day, Sept. 17, at the Arkansas vs. Troy football game, and at numerous locations around Northwest Arkansas through Oct. 16. On Sept. 24, Harp’s grocery store will be partnering with Razorback Athletics to collect food for one day at all the Fayetteville locations.

Honorary spokesperson for this year’s food drive is Bobby Petrino, head football coach at the University of Arkansas. Petrino will be featured on public service announcements being aired on campus and on local television stations.

Those wishing to contribute canned food items may leave them in boxes found at various locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. A list of locations, as of today, may be found below or visit the university Sustainability website for the most current list of drop-off locations. Monetary donations or online purchases of canned goods may be made at the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry or the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s website.

The Full Circle Campus Food Pantry is a student-run program that was established by the Volunteer Action Center within the Division of Student Affairs as an emergency assistance program that distributes food and toiletries to any member of the University of Arkansas community. The Full Circle Campus Food Pantry strives to nourish bodies, empower minds and build a community of compassion.

Last year, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributed 5.77 million pounds of food, which fed more than 125,000 people and the numbers this year are expected to be greater. In 2010, the food bank served approximately 97,000 people, 38 percent of whom were aged 17 and younger. In Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties, 57 percent of all public school children are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.

Tyson Foods Inc., a chief sponsor for the food drive, will match the food-drive donations on a 10-to-1 basis up to 60,000 pounds of food. The total amount of food collected will be announced at the conclusion of the effort. 

“We embrace sustainability concepts on campus, and social sustainability efforts are one way that the campus and the community can join forces to help meet a growing public need,” said Nick Brown, director of sustainability for the University of Arkansas. “People are looking to give back and this is a great opportunity to do so.”

Date-specific drop-off locations:

• Sept. 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Gate 16 and parking lots (56, 72 and the Gardens)
• Sept 19 – 26 – Bins will be located in the Bev Lewis Center, Barnhill Arena, Bogle Academic Center and the Broyles Center lobby
• Sept. 23, 7 p.m. – Razorback Field and Barnhill Arena
• Sept. 24 – Harp’s grocery stores (Wedington Drive, Garland Avenue, Fiesta Square, Crossover & Mission)

Sept. 1 through Oct. 16 drop-off locations:

• Arkansas World Trade Center
• 3300 Market St., Suite 400, Rogers, 479-418-4800
• University of Arkansas Global Campus at Rogers
• 3300 Market St., Suite 420, Rogers, 479-464-5024
• University of Arkansas Global Campus at Fayetteville
• 2 E. Center St., Fayetteville
• University of Arkansas Office of Study Abroad
• 722 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, 5-7582
• Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce
• 123 W. Mountain, Fayetteville, 479-521-1710
• Fayetteville City Hall and all City of Fayetteville Fire Stations
• Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce
• 317 W. Walnut, Rogers AR 72756, 479-636-1240
• Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce
• 200 E. Central Ave., Bentonville, 479-273-2841
• University of Arkansas Facilities Management
• 521 S. Razorback Road, C-105, Fayetteville, 575-6601
• Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
• 1378 June Self Drive, Bethel Heights, 479-872-8774
• Springdale Chamber of Commerce
• 202 W. Emma, Springdale, 479-872-2222

• UA Campus Bookstore

• Garland Center, 575-2979

Most needed items include:

• Cereal
• Oatmeal
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Granola bars
• Chips
• Mashed potato flakes
• Rice
• Canned soup
• Canned vegetables
• Canned meats
• Tomato sauce
• Pasta noodles
• Macaroni & cheese
• Ramen noodles
• Coffee
• Canned Fruit
• Dry beans
• Can openers
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Powdered detergent
• Feminine products
• Monetary donations

The sponsors for this year’s food drive as of today’s date are: University of Arkansas, Tyson Foods, University of Arkansas department of intercollegiate athletics, Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, University of Arkansas Global Campus, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Arkansas World Trade Center, Applied Sustainability Center, the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Arkansas Bookstore, the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

About the SEC “Together We CAN Food Drive”:

The SEC “Together We CAN Food Drive” is a league-wide canned food and financial donation drive organized by Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members from each SEC institution. All items collected are given to local food banks. The annual 10-day collection event is publicized on the SEC website and during broadcasts (television and radio) where appropriate. At the conclusion of the drive, the SEC will announce the 12-school total of donations collected and highlight the work done by the student-athletes of the Southeastern Conference. The annual event is not a competition and is about collecting items for area citizens in need.

About World Food Day:

World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It is observed each Oct. 16 in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. The first World Food Day was in 1981. In the United States the endeavor is sponsored by 450 national, private voluntary organizations.