52Community Sometimes life does not bless us in ways that are preferred. Many students on Harding’s campus had expressed the difficulty of affording food and groceries on days that the campus cafeteria is closed. The Table was created to help students access the nutritious food that they may need at no cost. In fall 2022, senior Tucker Lovell presented an idea to Dr. Andrea Morris about assisting the Searcy community with food drives. This conversation led to a campus-wide survey that brought forth the true concerns and needs of Harding’s students. “This grew into a conversation about needs on campus and led us on a listening tour with social clubs, students in the Honors College, student government and students in Food and Nutrition, and what we learned is that there are food security needs on campus,” Morris said. “To get a better idea of the depth of this need, we conducted a survey in chapel in November 2022, whose results revealed that within a 30-day period, 36% of respondents stated that they go without a nutritious meal between 1 to 16 days.” After realizing this issue on campus, the plan was set into motion. Lovell and Morris headed a student board to help with the organization and running of The Table. The Table was placed in Kendall Hall and can be accessed during the day. While many services of The Table were food, it was also recognized that if many students went without food, then they were lacking other things as well. “As a food resource, The Table offers food to students, but we also offer toiletry, personal hygiene and laundry items,” Lovell said. The Table was created to provide students with the necessities that they needed. As the idea was initially a dream, Lovell and Morris spent time trying to figure out the funding to support the Harding community. Luckily, Harding received a grant from the state of Arkansas that was written specifically for universities and colleges to expand their food pantries. “We began praying about ways to respond to campus needs and in February 2023, the Arkansas Department of Education’s Higher Education Division made a $5,000 grant available to any AR college or university that wanted to start or expand their food pantry – our prayer was answered!” Morris said. “So, we began preparations to open a Food Resource Center. We held a naming contest and The Table was the winning name.” With the plan in motion, the Harding community gained access to The Table in fall 2023. The establishment of The Table signified the need that was often overlooked within the campus. Many assumed the financial stability of students, but more commonly than not, students struggled, and many were embarrassed by their financial insecurities. The Table was meant to be a place where students didn’t have to feel alone or embarrassed. The Harding community was a family, and the people behind The Table were going to treat them as so. “Parents not only send their children to Harding, they entrust their children to us,” Morris said. “The Table is a way that we can do this.” The Table was made for students; therefore, it was ran by students. A student board was created to help with the organization and control of the pantry. Senior Milyn Ross joined the board because she wanted to make a difference in her Harding community. “My goal with getting on the board was really to be the hands and feet of God,” Ross said. “Jesus says that when you feed, clothe, visit the least of these you are doing that for Him. And I want to be a part of that, I want to see people in need and automatically see Jesus and I feel like working for The Table helps me do that.” The Table will continue on Harding’s campus, but will hopefully in the future grow into the Searcy community. The establishment of this resource provided opportunities for many students as they struggled financially. At the end of the day, no person was perfect and everyone needed help. “Our desire is to walk with any family member through this time until they reach wholeness,” Morris said. “Importantly, we stress that there is no shame in expressing a need! We all are in need of some kind, whether emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically, and we believe that is why God has placed us in the body of Christ – to care for the household of faith. The Table is a way God has blessed us to live this out at Harding.” Written by Hallie Davis COME TO Students and faculty work together to open a food resource center for the Harding community.
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