Armload after armload and shopping cart after shopping cart, the food just kept coming through the door at the Salvation Army office on Weir Road in Russellville on Wednesday morning.
Armload after armload and shopping cart after shopping cart, the food just kept coming through the door at the Salvation Army office on Weir Road in Russellville on Wednesday morning.
The food — 365 food kits in all — was the result of the 2012 Helping Halls program led by the Arkansas Tech University Office of Residence Life.
Individuals in need will receive the food from the Salvation Army next week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Students collected the food over the past three weeks and worked to meet population-based goals for giving in each residence hall.
With 103 kits donated, Turner Hall won the competition for most generous residence hall during the program.
At an estimated value of $12.20 per food kit, the donation of 365 food kits represents a contribution of $4,453 by Arkansas Tech students to the community.
“This will help more than 300 families have a good holiday and celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Cindy Jones, captain for Salvation Army of Russellville. “We are very thankful for the students that put all of this together. It brings joy to my heart, and I hope it brings joy to the students to be able to serve people in this capacity.”
Thanksgiving 2012 marks the sixth consecutive year in which students from Arkansas Tech have led and participated in the Helping Halls program.
Including this year’s gift, Arkansas Tech students have helped provide 1,745 holiday meals to families and individuals served through the Salvation Army as a result of Helping Halls.
“I think there is a real desire among Tech students to give back to their community,” said sophomore Erica Franklin of Grannis, who helped organize Helping Halls 2012. “The fact that we were able to raise so much money was really amazing. Students were literally pulling change out of their pockets and giving what they could.”
The food kits have many of the staples of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey gravy, canned sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberries, pie filling, stuffing mix, boxed mashed potatoes mix, marshmallows and a pie crust. The kits will be paired with a turkey or ham collected by the Salvation Army and given to families in need of assistance.
“I actually had a few tears in my eyes when we were arriving here (at the Salvation Army) because of the students that came out and supported this program,” said Courtney McCrary, resident director for Wilson Hall at Arkansas Tech and advisor for the Helping Halls program. “It’s amazing to see how they can all pull together, and it’s a great experience for our students because they grow as people by giving to others. Even if they don’t have a lot to give, they know they are helping families in need and that is very impactful for them.”
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