A food drive in the College of Engineering gathered nearly 2,000 food items to benefit the University of Arkansas community.

The drive was sponsored by Tau Beta Pi and the College of Engineering Staff Council, in partnership with Ajay and Savita Malshe.

Donors from across the College of Engineering gave nearly 2,000 food items valued at more than $3,100 to benefit the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry on campus. The Full Circle Food Pantry is a student-led emergency food assistance fund that serves anyone with a U of A or UAMS identification.

Volunteers also assembled 100 personal care kits and raised more than $1,100 in cash donations to benefit the pantry.

For Alan Mantooth, distinguished professor of electrical engineering and faculty advisor for Tau Beta Pi, the drive was a chance for students to make an impact.

"They want to contribute to those in need and this is a great way to do that," Mantooth said. "We were thrilled to partner with the staff this year and very humbled by the Malshe's support. To see the light, and tears, in Jane Gearhart's eyes as we donated the goods to the Pantry was all the reward we needed."

George Holmes, chair of the College's Staff Council, said he was pleased to see such wide buy-in from across the College.

"The Staff Council was excited to play a part in support of Tau Beta Pi's service project, supporting the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry," he said. "It's great to know so many departments got involved. Alleviating food insecurity requires a commitment and so we intend to make this a regular ongoing Staff Council activity."

For the Malshe family, the decision to support the effort was rooted in a desire to improve educational opportunities for students.

"Food insecurity partly contributes to deeply-rooted learning insecurity," said Savita Malshe. "As life-long educators, Ajay and I believe well-nourished students and associates provide fertile ground for healthy education. Giving through the food pantry serves that purpose effectively on the campus. We appreciate the active participation of Jane and Dave Gearhart in this mission."