UALR students donated almost 6,000 pounds of food to the Arkansas Foodbank this year, the equivalent of nearly 5,000 meals for the hungry in Arkansas.

Representatives from the UALR Chancellor’s Leadership Corps and the Reach 2k13K Food Drive Committee said the final count of non-perishable food items donated came to 14,257.

“We have received more giving and donations from departments and organizations than ever before, helping make this holiday season a cheerful one for many who cannot afford a holiday meal,” said Nick Steele, CLC coordinator.

A total of 5,908 pounds of food, or 4,923 meals, was donated.

The UALR Student Government Association began the food drive five years ago to raise non-perishable food items for the hungry. For the past three years, CLC has continued the tradition and gives a portion of the goods to the UALR Staff Senate Helping Hands drive.

Among all departments and student organizations contributing to the drive this year, the Leadership Institute, comprised of students from the African American Male Initiative, African American Female Initiative, and Hispanic/Latino Initiative, contributed an astounding 3,132 non-perishable food items and earned a pizza party, according to Steele.

At 1,295 contributed food items, the UALR Testing Services Department outpaced other department donations and even eclipsed their own winning total from last year.

Other contributors included the following student organizations: Brother’s Keepers; Housing Activities Council; Pi Kappa Alpha; AAMI; Donaghey Scholars; Engineering and Information Technology Scholars; Aikido Club; Chi Omega; Kappa Sigma; Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship; Younglife; Kappa Delta; and Environmental and Spatial Technology Scholars.

UALR departments contributing to the drive included Speech Pathology and Audiology; Donaghey Student Center Administrative Services; International Student Services; TRIO Services; Children’s International; Public Safety; Nursing; Campus Life; Educational Leadership; Office of Communications; Transfer Student Services; Library; Financial Services; Academic Success Center; College of Professional Studies Dean’s Office; Office of Development; Department of International and Second Language Studies; The Chancellor’s Office; College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dean’s Office; Human Resources; Financial Aid and Scholarships; Alumni Office; Academic Advising; IT Services; Scholarly and Technology Resources; Facilities Management; Sociology and Anthropology; Criminal Justice Department; Counseling Services; Health Services; Public Radio; and Arkansas Federal Credit Union.