Within its first four months, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s first food pantry has had a successful start. The pantry has received around $3,000 in donations from local companies, including a generous donation of $1,100 from the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Cantrell Road.

Other contributing companies are Walmart on Shackleford Road, Professional Computer Services Inc., Kroger on Asher Avenue, Arkansas Family Dental, Clarion, Target on University Avenue, and Altitude Trampoline Park.

“If it weren’t for these companies, we wouldn’t be able to provide food to feed others,” said Aresh Assadi, a counselor in UALR Counseling Services. “We are extremely appreciative.”

Assadi visits various businesses at least once a week seeking donations for multiple organizations on campus, including the food pantry, Suicide Prevention Week, and Green Dot.

Donations will be used to purchase equipment for the food pantry, including a printer, computer, refrigerator, and freezer. Food orders from the Arkansas Foodbank will also be purchased.

In addition to local companies, the pantry continues to receive donations from staff and faculty.

“The Community Connection Center would like to thank the campus for all of their ongoing support of the UALR Trojan Food Pantry, including food donations, monetary donations, and volunteer time,” said Betsy Hart, assistant director of the UALR Community Connection Center.

More about Trojan Food Pantry

The food pantry is available to all UALR students, faculty, and staff in need of assistance. The pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Thursday.  

Food pantry participants must fill out a one-time form online or in person at the pantry and a weekly food request form. A three-day supply of food is provided to participants and their families once a week based on the items chosen on their food request form.

If participants cannot pick up food at the scheduled time, an appointment may be set up through email at pantry@ualr.edu or by calling 501-569-8292.

Currently, the pantry is in need of volunteers, especially during the summer period. Help is needed with stocking and organizing shelves and picking up donations. Click here to register and sign up for a shift.

Monetary donations can be dropped off at the Community Connection Center or online by clicking here and designating the donation to “UALR Trojan Food Pantry.”

A list of most needed items is on the website. The pantry is in need of dry spaghetti, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, and boxed meals such as hamburger helper.

For more information, visit https://ualr.edu/foodpantry.

Food donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

• UALR Community Connection Center
• UALR Office of Campus Life
• Ottenheimer Library
• Or e-mail pantry@ualr.edu and a volunteer will pick it up