Staff and faculty at the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, the CORD, recently engaged in an initiative aimed at addressing a critical challenge affecting student success: food insecurity. Spearheaded by the CORD Student Staff Advisory Board in collaboration with Jasmine Parks, a public health Intern, a spirited two-week building-wide food drive unfolded, resulting in the collection of nearly 400 pounds of essential provisions.

These donations will be used to keep the shelves of the Student Success Center Mini Pantry at the CORD full through the fall semester.

Enthusiasm ran high as five units housed in the CORD actively participated in the friendly competition, each vying for the coveted prize of bragging rights and the honor of having their name etched on a perpetual trophy. Following an exhilarating showdown, the Fulbright College Advising Center emerged victorious, clinching the title.

The Student Success Center Mini Pantry, an extension of the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, serves as a useful resource for students facing food insecurity. Conveniently situated on the ground floor of the CORD building (near vending machines), it stands as a testament to the CORD community's unwavering commitment to supporting students holistically through their journey at the U of A. Stocked with an array of non-perishable snacks, lunch essentials and personal hygiene items, the pantry is accessible during CORD building operating hours, which are posted on Success.uark.edu.

Through such initiatives, the CORD community continues to reinforce the 150 Forward Strategic Plan and the concept of One University. The collaborative food drive effort exemplifies the spirit of compassion and solidarity, ensuring that no student is left to navigate the challenges of higher education alone.