Like many single mothers that work and attend college full-time, Crystal Nash works hard to create a better future for her and her child. After hearing about the recent launch of the University of Arkansas Texarkana Iron Horse Pantry, she reached out for help in a time of need. Crystal said it is nothing to be ashamed of to have times in your life when you need assistance from others. “I’m currently working and attending college as a full-time student, and that is very difficult and time-consuming, making it hard to keep up. But just because at some point in your life you need help, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck there, and it’s programs like this that help us persevere,” said Nash.
The Iron Horse Pantry, which officially opened one week ago, received a $3,000 donation from the UAHT Foundation to help initiate the efforts. Students at UAHT collected almost 1,200 food items to donate to the pantry as well. The pantry also partnered with the Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank to purchase food for the pantry. Other foods and personal hygiene items are purchased from area grocery stores. “The pantry was a great and extremely thoughtful idea by the leadership and students at the college, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Nash shared.
The U of A Texarkana Iron Horse Pantry is an online-based platform similar to Amazon Pantry. Students can order pantry items online at uaht.edu/pantry. Once an order is placed, students will receive a confirmation email acknowledging their order. A separate email notifies students of the status and delivery timeframe of the order. Orders are filled within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
For more information, please contact Dr. Christopher Smith, UAHT Dean of Student Services, or visit www.uaht.edu/pantry.
