April 17, 2009
University-wide food drive attracts 'tons' of support
Three-day drive will feed more than 20,000 people
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Virginia Commonwealth University’s three-day, university-wide food drive collected the equivalent of nearly 11 tons of food for the Central Virginia Foodbank and its affiliated Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen programs. The food drive took place April 14, 15 and 16 at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.
“There was a tremendous outpouring of support from the VCU community as well as the surrounding community,” said Business Services Director Diane Reynolds, who organized the unified drive after hearing about shortages at the Central Virginia Foodbank.
Commuter drop off sites allowed people in the surrounding area to also participate in the drive.
“There were so many wonderful things that happened,” Reynolds said. “Small schoolchildren with backpacks dropped off bags of food. One woman who was riding a GRTC bus had the driver stop just so she could make a donation. And another woman, who is a patron of D (parking) deck, heard about the drive and decided with her husband that instead of exchanging gifts for a family occasion, they’d make a donation to the food drive. She gave us a check for $300.”
The donations of food and money will allow the food bank to feed 21,743 people.
“This is a prime example of the VCU community working together for a greater good. Each volunteer, each can of food and every spare dollar significantly contributed to the Central Virginia Foodbank,” said Rebecca Jones, marketing and public relations manager for Business Services.
Central Virginia Foodbank Food Resource Manager Rick Holzbach said the drive couldn’t come at a better time.
“Not only is the economy bad right now, but there are 400,000 children in the commonwealth of Virginia who receive free and reduced breakfasts and lunches during the school year,” Holzbach said. “When summer comes, they lose 10 meals a week. The VCU food drive will allow us feed children in the 36 jurisdictions we serve through our summer feeding program.”
During a volunteer appreciation event at the end of the drive, Holzbach told organizers that the effort provides immediate relief to the food bank’s shortage and raises lasting awareness of an important issue.
“Hunger is a very real challenge in our community and VCU is a major part of the community,” Holzbach said. “It only makes sense that we work together to end hunger in our community. This ongoing partnership will only continue to grow as people understand the impact of what we’ve done.”
Organizers plan to hold another university-wide food drive in October.
Commuter drop off sites allowed people in the surrounding area to also participate in the drive.
“There were so many wonderful things that happened,” Reynolds said. “Small schoolchildren with backpacks dropped off bags of food. One woman who was riding a GRTC bus had the driver stop just so she could make a donation. And another woman, who is a patron of D (parking) deck, heard about the drive and decided with her husband that instead of exchanging gifts for a family occasion, they’d make a donation to the food drive. She gave us a check for $300.”
The donations of food and money will allow the food bank to feed 21,743 people.
“This is a prime example of the VCU community working together for a greater good. Each volunteer, each can of food and every spare dollar significantly contributed to the Central Virginia Foodbank,” said Rebecca Jones, marketing and public relations manager for Business Services.
Central Virginia Foodbank Food Resource Manager Rick Holzbach said the drive couldn’t come at a better time.
“Not only is the economy bad right now, but there are 400,000 children in the commonwealth of Virginia who receive free and reduced breakfasts and lunches during the school year,” Holzbach said. “When summer comes, they lose 10 meals a week. The VCU food drive will allow us feed children in the 36 jurisdictions we serve through our summer feeding program.”
During a volunteer appreciation event at the end of the drive, Holzbach told organizers that the effort provides immediate relief to the food bank’s shortage and raises lasting awareness of an important issue.
“Hunger is a very real challenge in our community and VCU is a major part of the community,” Holzbach said. “It only makes sense that we work together to end hunger in our community. This ongoing partnership will only continue to grow as people understand the impact of what we’ve done.”
Organizers plan to hold another university-wide food drive in October.
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