VCU news

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University is holding a three-day, university-wide food drive to support the Central Virginia Food Bank and its affiliated Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen programs.

The food drive takes place April 20, 21 and 22 at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.  VCU mascot Rodney Ram will greet food donors at the drop off location at West Broad and Harrison streets on Tuesday, April 20, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. 

This year’s food drive is supported by VCU Business Services, VCU Recreational Sports, the VCU Division of Community Engagement, VCU Alumni Relations and Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

Business Services Director Diane Reynolds organized the first unified drive last year after hearing about shortages at the Central Virginia Food Bank.  

“The food and money we collected during last year’s food drive allowed the food bank to feed 22,000 people,” Reynolds said. “With unemployment remaining high, the need is still there.”

The Virginia Employment Commission listed the Richmond region’s unemployment rate at 8.6 percent in February, the most recent month for which there are statistics.

Peanut butter, canned meats, fish, vegetables and fruits, spaghetti sauce, pasta and rice are especially needed. Volunteers also will collect monetary donations.

Monroe Park Campus drop off sites will operate from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• West Broad Street Parking Deck
• Cary Street Parking Deck
• West Main Street Parking Deck
• Jefferson Street Parking Deck
• Commons Convenience (in the University Student Commons)
• Harris Hall Convenience Store
• Cary Street Market & Deli
• Shafer Court Dining Center
• Barnes & Noble at VCU
• Cary Street Gym

MCV Campus drop off locations are as follows:

• N Parking Deck
• A, C, and I Parking Lots
• D Parking Deck
• 8^th Street Parking Deck
• Main Hospital
• Larrick Student Center

Drive-through drop off locations have been established along West Broad Street at Harrison Street and at East Broad Street and 10^th Street, to allow members of the community to participate in the food drive. Those locations will operate from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. each day.

Organizers plan to hold university-wide food drives each spring.

For more information about the food drive, contact Tamara Highsmith at 828-4629 or tmhighsmith@vcu.edu. To find out more about making a financial donation, contact Robinette Butler at 828-1148 or rbutler@vcu.edu.