Tyson Foods, Inc. has presented Arkansas Tech University with a $67,760 grant that will allow the institution to fight hunger within its own population.
The grant will assist in the creation of the Green and Gold Cupboard. The new pantry will provide access to meals for Arkansas Tech students, faculty members and staff members facing food insecurity, which is defined as lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Because We Can, a registered student organization at Arkansas Tech, led the grant application process. Faculty members Dr. Sean Huss and Dr. James Stobaugh from the Arkansas Tech Department of Behavioral Sciences serve as co-sponsors for Because We Can.
“Hunger on university campuses is an unseen need,” said Huss. “We’re still assessing the level of need at Arkansas Tech, but there is sufficient evidence to suggest that this is an issue for the Tech family. With assistance provided by the grant from Tyson, our Because We Can students are prepared to further study food insecurity on campus and how they can play a role in helping those in need.”
One of the next steps in Because We Can’s fight against food insecurity at Arkansas Tech will be a campus survey during the fall 2016 semester. The survey will seek to determine what percentage of the campus population is food insecure.
“We are hoping for an open and honest response to the survey,” said Stobaugh. “This project is one step closer in building a coalition to target hunger in our region.”
Because We Can also sponsors The Campus Kitchens Project at Arkansas Tech, a food recovery program that provides for community members in need. Because We Can recovered and distributed 4.5 tons of meals to the food insecure in the Arkansas River Valley during the spring 2016 semester.
“We’re proud to help bring a unique model combining food recovery and hunger relief to Arkansas Tech,” said Pat Bourke, program manager, corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods. “This is a great opportunity to engage students in a project that truly makes a difference while helping spread awareness about food insecurity.”
Arkansas Tech was the first educational institution in Arkansas and the 50th in the nation to join The Campus Kitchens Project.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
