Tyson Foods Supports Full Circle Food Pantry

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Left to right: University of Arkansas students Amanda Finch and Jessica Boyd, along with Tyson Foods’ Sherri Austin and Ed Nicholson

A food pantry that serves students in need at the University of Arkansas has received a financial donation from Tyson Foods, Inc.

The company has given $2,000 to the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry at the university to help buy a new computer system to serve students more effectively.

Full Circle is an emergency food assistance program that provides food and personal products to students in need, so they can fully focus on their education. It will use the $2,000 to purchase a new laptop computer and scanner in order to help students and others on campus apply for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program.

SNAP is a way for low-income families and individuals to buy nourishing food they would not otherwise be able to afford. Many students qualify for the SNAP program but do not apply for the benefits.

"We were elated that Tyson offered to do this and we can now get the equipment we need to begin implementing the SNAP program, assessing our patrons and helping them to apply for SNAP benefits,” said Kara Willis, a University of Arkansas student who has been a leader in the Full Circle program. “This has been a really long process and we would not be able to do this without Tyson’s donation.”

“The SNAP application process can be intimidating to students and they often need guidance to complete it,” according to Amanda Finch, program coordinator for The Center of Community Engagement. “By having the new computer system, Full Circle will be able to help students apply right in the food bank for the benefits they deserve.”

“We at Tyson Foods recognize the need that exists on campus and we believe no student should have to choose between good nutrition and a good education,” said Ed Nicholson, Tyson Foods director of Community Relations. “We applaud all of the great effort that’s gone into creating Full Circle Campus Food Pantry and are excited about seeing it grow. As neighbors in Northwest Arkansas, we’re proud of what’s been done.”

Full Circle began serving the community in February of 2011. The pantry is completely student operated and is open two days a week. It serves, on average, 40 people per week, which is a number that has grown as awareness of the pantry has increased.

Tyson Foods has fought hunger in the U.S. for a decade, donating more than 82 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of more than 320 million meals. The company collaborates with hunger relief groups like Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center, Share Our Strength, Lift Up America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation.

Earlier this year, Tyson launched the “Know Hunger” campaign to raise hunger awareness. As part of the campaign, the company released the results of a survey which found that one in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year. Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.