University of Arkansas Homecoming 2020 is coming up! Staff members of the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry really love this year's theme of "One Razorback, One Community." The Full Circle team has seen first-hand how willing, generous, and supportive their Full Circle community can be.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have seen unprecedented numbers of community members coming to the teal door of the Full Circle Food Pantry to receive assistance to help make ends meet during these difficult, unpredictable, strenuous times.  

As they gear up for their fourth annual Pack the Pantry Homecoming drive, the team wanted to take a moment to express their genuine gratitude to all who have helped them stay open. With the support of the community, the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry remained operational throughout the summer and into the fall semester. Because of individual and departmental support from the Razorback community, the Full Circle team was given the opportunity to continue to serve our Razorback community members in need even at the height of the pandemic.

During the summer 2019, Full Circle Food Pantry served approximately 1,900 U of A and UAMS community members and their households. Throughout summer 2020, they served approximately 4,200 U of A and UAMS community members! This would not have been possible without the unyielding support of the Razorback community. 

Some gave their time, some gave their money, some gave their goods, and some spread the word.

Folks like Jeannie Hulen at the School of Art, who gave her time to the team by helping facilitate assistance pick up at the Ceramics Studio to reach more clients and encourage more distancing and safety for our students. Groups like the Women's Giving Circle and Global Campus who saw the Full Circle Food Pantry's need and the staff's work and gave financial support to ensure they could keep their shelves stocked. Some like friends at Facilities Management and the Graduate School who always make sure their networks knew how to utilize the pantry's services if need be. Some like Athletics, who have given their time to help portion out bulk goods for distribution. And the Full Circle team would like to give a huge shout out to University Housing for their ongoing support and for letting the staff members call their space in Walton Residence Hall, "Home." We could go on and on and on.  

On March 16, when the University of Arkansas went fully online, the pantry's emails and phones filled with messages of "how can I help?" Even with a smaller team, with new restrictions, and a whole new environment in which to work, the team knew they were not alone. So thank you to everyone who has helped ensure the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry can continue to serve.