Volunteers from the University of Arkansas food pantry are back in Northwest Arkansas after being recognized by President Obama at the White House.
The food pantry is one of five winners competing against 15 other schools. The full circle food pantry volunteers were chosen by public vote to visit the White House. The pantry opened its doors a year ago and has served more than 2,500 people.
“We started the idea,” says food pantry volunteer Sylvia Tran. “We just talked about it in Spring 2010 and worked for a year. Opened it up in Spring 2011 and we are finally getting national recognition just a year later. I’m impressed with our amazing group.”
“So it meant a lot to me that our university is being recognized nationally for something like the service our students are doing,” says food pantry volunteer Mirelle Pierini.
The University of Arkansas received more than 57,000 votes landing second place after the university of Massachusetts-Amherst.
