The University of Arkansas is excited to announce the inaugural One Day, One U of A—a 24-hour giving day on April 10, 2025! This unique event is your opportunity to directly support grassroots projects that make an immediate and lasting impact on the University of Arkansas and the communities we serve.
The Division of Student Affairs will have two projects that directly support students in their time of need – Meal Plan Scholarships and the UA Cares Student Emergency Fund.
The Meal Plan Scholarship funds help close the gap between financial obstacles and food insecurity among college students. This scholarship supplements students’ unmet financial needs and focuses on providing campus meal plans. These meal plans provide students with regular meals to lessen the worry about where their next meal will come from.
“Hunger should never be a barrier to student success,” said John Berry, who provided the initial money for the Meal Plan Scholarship with his partner Richard Anderson and continues to support the scholarship. “Food is a basic human need, and every student deserves access to proper nutrition. That’s why Richard and I provided the seed money for the Student Affairs Meal Plan Scholarship – to ensure that no student has to choose between their education and their next meal.”
These Meal Plan Scholarships help students in so many ways. Here is what one student had to say about receiving the Meal Plan Scholarship.
“The meal plan scholarship I received during my time at the University of Arkansas relieved me of so much stress and anxiety. I work two jobs, typically leaving my house at 4:30 a.m. and returning home at 9 p.m., and hot food in the middle of the day makes a big difference,” said the recipient who wishes to remain anonymous. “My meal plan scholarship allowed me to have more nutritious food than my packable options–salads, smoothie bowls, fresh fruit, and high-protein meals instead of a peanut butter sandwich every day.”
The UA Cares Student Emergency Fund meets a vital need for students of all levels at the U of A by providing direct financial assistance for unexpected expenses due to medical emergencies, unexpected loss of job/income, or other situations that may negatively impact their ability to continue their enrollment. It is one of the only funds that can provide direct financial assistance to students, regardless of their current university account balance.
“Through our involvement in the Greek system, we became aware of the fact that sometimes a relatively small amount of money can help keep a student in school. Things change in life…a death in the family, divorce, loss of a parental job, etc. All can have a dramatic impact on a student’s educational funds,” said Charlie Whiteside who supports students through various established funds. “Having a place to go for financial assistance (not a loan) and a helping hand can make a big difference in outcomes. Our hope is that this UA Cares Student Emergency fund helps the University of Arkansas do everything possible to help a student stay in school, even when it feels impossible!”
Both of these funds are worthy of supporting, as they directly and immediately impact students’ lives when they need it most.
“Your support of Meal Plan Scholarships or UA Cares Student Emergency Funds directly impacts student,” said Loria Oliver, director of development for Student Affairs. “No matter the size of the donation you might make, these funds go directly to students in a time of great need. Sometimes these funds are the only thing that keeps students continuing their education when things feel impossible.”
Save the date – April 10, 2025 for One Day, One U of A!