A Community United
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team orchestrated what officials are calling the largest back-to-school giveaway ever recorded in Jefferson County, drawing hundreds of families eager for a head start on the new academic year.
The event offered a comprehensive package of free groceries, school supplies, backpacks, household products, toiletries and hygiene items, aiming to ease the financial strain many parents face as children return to classrooms.
After morning practice, UAPB players and coaches transformed into VIP volunteers, loading vehicles, greeting families and handing out supplies, embodying the program’s emphasis on service.
Coach Alonzo Hampton underscored that community service is a cornerstone of the team’s culture, stating that being outstanding men of character is as important as athletic achievement.
The initiative was deliberately scheduled as part of the preseason model ‘One Team, One Roar,’ integrating service projects into the team’s early-season routine.
Sophomore quarterback Garrison Davis highlighted the personal significance of giving back, noting that the community’s support throughout the season makes the effort worthwhile.
Organizers expanded the distribution beyond school supplies to include meat, paper products, cleaning supplies and other essentials, ensuring each household received a broad spectrum of necessities.
Deborah Allen, executive director of First Ward Living Grace Pantry, expressed gratitude to sponsors such as the Arkansas Foodbank, Brookshire’s, Dollar General, Highland Pellets and Bill and Sharri Jones, and reflected on the pantry’s ongoing support for UAPB student-athletes.
The demand was evident as the first vehicle arrived around 3 a.m., with families like Faedra Rice, who arrived early anticipating a large turnout, and Fredy Briggs, who described the event as a blessing for a region struggling with grocery access.
Allen concluded by recognizing the UAPB football team’s pivotal role, asserting that their involvement made the entire effort possible and reinforced the spirit of community collaboration.