The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith distributed 194 food boxes to students and employees Thursday, Nov. 6, in response to increased need this fall and community-wide uncertainty around Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The effort, a collaboration between the Dave Stevens Lion Pride Pantry, the River Valley Regional Food Bank, and the UAFS Foundation, took place at the Stubblefield Center parking lot beginning at 2 p.m. Each box included a combination of frozen ground beef and nonperishable food items.

Advance registration streamlined the distribution process as individuals presented their student or employee IDs earlier in the week to receive a ticket for pickup. Chancellor Terisa Riley and members of the UAFS cabinet joined staff and student volunteers from the pantry and the Campus and Community Engagement office to distribute the meals this afternoon.

Meighan Pendergrass, executive director of campus health, recreation and wellness, said the pantry has seen an 18% increase in attendance since fall of 2024, with numbers already surpassing previous semester totals.

Members of the UAFS community will continue to have access to weekly meal sacks through available through the pantry, with the annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway slated for later this month.



Additionally, all members of the UAFS and the River Valley communities can access assistance through the River Valley Regional Food Bank Pantry Locator, and the United Way of Fort Smith’s Community Resource Guide.

For more information, or to donate to campus assistance efforts, contact the pantry at pantry@uafs.edu.

Rachel Rodemann Putman
Director of Communications
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Mobile: (501) 276-6282

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