Arkansas Tech University Students Support London Elementary with Food Donation
November 15, 2024
London Elementary School in Arkansas received a touching gesture today as students from the Arkansas Tech University (ATU) Emerging Leaders Society delivered a significant amount of non-perishable food items. This donation, which filled the school’s stage to capacity, marks the largest contribution in the past three years of partnership between the ATU students and the school, aimed at helping children in need.
London Elementary Principal Marcia Correia couldn’t hold back her emotions as she witnessed the arrival of the food. "This is a sense of security for our students," she shared. “Knowing where their next meal is coming from provides hope. I was once in their shoes, and I understand how crucial this support is."
The unloading of donations commenced around 9 a.m., and within about 45 minutes, volunteers had to pull back the stage curtain to fit all the food. The donations are meant to support the school’s food backpack program, which provides meals for students who may otherwise go hungry.
The ATU Emerging Leaders Society, founded just this year, seeks to engage students in community service and foster leadership skills. Maddy Hughes, a senior from Bentonville and the society’s founder, expressed her passion for the project. “I wanted to create a space for underclassmen to learn about leadership while making a real difference in our community,” Hughes explained.
Hughes has been involved in similar food drives for London Elementary for the past two years and saw the potential for her peers to have a lasting impact. She shared, “I never would have imagined we’d achieve so much in such a short time. Seeing everyone work together to serve others is incredibly rewarding.”
Leading the organization of this food drive were key members of the society, including Skyla Eckhardt, who coordinated the project; Maddie Mertens, who handled on-campus efforts; and Gannon Campbell, managing off-campus logistics. Other contributors from the society included Shilo Reed, Andrea Vega Lopez, and Lauren Kirkland, with support from ATU faculty members Dr. Jeremy Schwehm and Tiffany Nance.
The event was made possible through the generosity of community partners, which included local businesses and organizations such as Bank OZK, Chambers Bank, Dog Ear Books, and more.
Hughes reflected on her motivation for this project, saying, “I come from a similar background as these kids, so making a difference feels very personal to me. It’s heartwarming to witness the impact of our hard work.”
Principal Correia echoed this sentiment, praising the students for their commitment to helping others. “These young leaders have big hearts. Their willingness to take action for kids they don’t even know is truly inspiring,” she remarked.
With this successful contribution, the Arkansas Tech University Emerging Leaders Society has set a promising example of community engagement and leadership, proving that even small efforts can lead to substantial changes in the lives of those in need.
