A survey was conducted of 137 students indicated that 78 percent of them had gone without adequate food at least once, and 50 percent had gone without  adequate food five times or more during the semester.

After obtaining those numbers, Conley, who is the faculty coordinator for the food pantry, said another survey indicated that many students said even though there was a need, they would feel embarrassed. Fifty said they would use the pantry and wanted to be able to shop, so the pantry was set up that way, with students being able to use it once a month.

After obtaining those numbers, Conley said another survey indicated that many students said even though there was a need, they would feel embarrassed. Fifty however, said they would use the pantry and wanted to be able to shop, so the pantry was set up that way, with students being able to use it once a month.

"We've started small, but we've had people who want to give food demonstrations or teach people how to cook, and some people have suggested we need a clothes closet," Conley said.

The pantry is open to all residential and commuter students with a valid ID Card, and Conley said some staff members at UAPB have also expressed interest in using the pantry.

(Picture from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Instagram page)

The Collegiate 4-H Club at UAPB, represent by its president Kahmron Hymes, and the president of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science Chapter at UAPB, Daniel Perry (who are very involved in the project), represented their groups by handing out certificates of appreciation to a number of people who made the pantry possible during the open ceremonies.

The Arkansas Food Bank who is also involved, and Erin Chambers, the coordinator of the food bank for the state, said "20,000 people in Jefferson County are not sure where their next meal is going to come from" and said the food bank will continue to offer technical support to UAPB.

The food pantry will be open from 2-4pm, every third Thursday of each month, but depending on demand and the availability of volunteers to operate the pantry, the hours could be extended to twice a month.

For information about the food pantry at UAPB, contact Rita Conley at (870) 575-8540 or conleyr@uapb.edu or Teki Hunt Jiminez, co-advisor for the UAPB Collegiate 4-H Club, at (870) 575-8538 or huntJiminezt@uapb.edu.