By: Chandler Nichols
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- BYU fans and alumni have donated food to St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
Supporters of the Religious-based institution brought a truck filled with 24 pallets of canned and dried foods from Provo, Utah. Others went into local Walmart’s around town. In total, there were over 40,000 pounds of food donated to the church and other local food banks. Director of Outreach of Community and Engagement Monique Jones expressed gratitude to the kindness from out of town guest.
“It feels great to know that people coming from another state care about everybody across the nation.” said Jones.
This is not the first time that BYU has donated to a school that they were playing against. BYU Alumni marketing manager Alexa Anderson says that each regional alumni association of the university host a donation drive at every tailgate of an away game.
“One of the things that we teach our students and alumni is to go forth and serve. And so, when you go to BYU, you enter to learn, but you go forth and serve. And that means a lifelong attitude of service.” said Anderson.
Fans at the Fayetteville tailgate were asked to donate culturally appropriate foods for the Marshallese and Hispanic communities in Northwest Arkansas.
The food pantry at the church is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm