University-wide food drive fills Central Virginia Food Bank shelves

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s three-day, university-wide food drive collected tons of food for distribution by the Central Virginia Food Bank and its affiliated Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen programs.

The university’s third annual food drive took place April 19, 20 and 21 at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. Business Services Director Diane Reynolds developed the unified drive two years ago after hearing about shortages at the Central Virginia Foodbank.  

A preliminary estimate of this year’s drive indicates donations of food and money will allow the food bank to feed 50,247 people, exceeding a goal of 35,000 meals set by organizers as this year’s drive kicked off.

“The VCU community has had so much to be proud of during past few months, and this is another great story that we can share about our students, faculty, staff and alumni.  Their generosity far exceeded our original goal of 35,000 meals, which is something I think we can all be proud of," Reynolds said.

Commuter drop-off sites on both campuses allowed people in surrounding areas to also participate in the drive. Organizers said the response from the VCU community and surrounding Richmond community was overwhelming.

“This could not have been possible without the support from many volunteers and various departments across campus," said Rebecca Jones, marketing and public relations manager for Business Services.

The drive results will help the Central Virginia Foodbank feed children through its summer feeding program. An estimated 400,000 Virginia children receive free and reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches during the school year. When school is out of session during summer, the children lose those meals.