CORD Board raises 400 pounds of food for mini pantry

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

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

Enthusiasm ran high as five units based in the CORD actively participated in the friendly competition, with each competing for the coveted prize of bragging rights and the honor of having their names engraved on a perpetual trophy. After an exciting showdown, the Fulbright College Advising Center emerged victorious and captured the title.

The Student Success Center Mini Pantry, an extension of the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, serves as a helpful resource for students facing food insecurity. Conveniently located on the ground floor of the CORD Building (near vending machines), it is a testament to the CORD community’s continued commitment to supporting students holistically throughout their journey at the U of A. Filled with a variety of non-perishable snacks, lunch supplies and personal hygiene items, the pantry is accessible during CORD building hours, which are posted on Success.uark.edu.

Through such initiatives, the CORD community continues to strengthen the 150 Forward Strategic Plan and the concept of One University. The joint food effort exemplifies the spirit of compassion and solidarity and ensures that no student faces the challenges of higher education alone.