89 Razorback student-athletes give back to community

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A group of 89 Razorback student-athletes gave back to their community Saturday morning as they participated in the third annual Lift Up America event on the University of Arkansas campus.

The Arkansas Razorbacks partnered with Lift Up America, Tyson Foods and Feeding America to raise awareness for the need for hunger relief in America. Arkansas vice chancellor and director of athletics Jeff Long was joined by John Tyson of Tyson Foods, Inc., Dave Hannah of Lift Up America and Marge Wolfe of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank at a press conference kicking off the event inside the Broyles Center.

"We are excited to be part of the Lift Up America program that provides food and supplies to those in our community in need," Long said. "Tyson Foods continues to be at the forefront of outreach in our area and we are pleased to partner with them in benefitting the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. I am proud of the young men and young women in the Razorback program that continue to make community outreach a vital part of the student-athlete experience. In these trying times, it is even more imperative that we do what we can to make a difference in people’s lives."

Following the press conference, Razorback student-athletes loaded food and supplies onto trucks for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and various other local non-profit outreach agencies. Representatives from a number of Arkansas’ sports programs participated including student-athletes from football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and volleyball. With the help of Tyson Foods, Lift Up America and the Razorbacks, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank will receive 15 tons of food.

More than 36.2 million Americans, including 12.4 million children, are food insecure. Food insecurity in the United States is rising rapidly with the downturn in the economy and employment. Feeding America food banks across the country are experiencing significant increases in requests for food assistance, especially during the holiday season. At the same time, supplies to food banks are decreasing as donors tighten their own belts to respond to the weakening economy.

Tyson Foods is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork. As part of their ongoing commitment to hunger relief, Tyson Foods is stepping up to restock local food banks with 1 million pounds of protein products.