University-Wide Food Drive Results Will Feed Nearly 28,000 People

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s three-day, university-wide food drive collected the equivalent of 13.8 tons of food for distribution by the Central Virginia Foodbank and its affiliated Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen programs.

The second annual food drive took place April 20, 21 and 22 at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. 

Business Services Director Diane Reynolds developed the unified drive last year after hearing about shortages at the Central Virginia Foodbank.  

“The VCU Food Drive, supporting the Central Virginia Food Bank, achieved 22 percent more in donations and contributions as compared with last year's drive,” Reynolds said. “VCU students, faculty and staff and the Richmond community have big hearts and it was demonstrated in their support for this cause.”

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.

“It was cold and rainy on the morning of the second day of the drive,” said Rebecca Jones, marketing and public relations manager for Business Services. “One lady who was dropping off a monetary donation brought hot chocolate for the volunteers at Broad and Harrison streets. It was such a nice gesture.”

The donations of food and money will allow the food bank to feed 27,568 people, up more than 5,000 from last year’s results.

“These are fabulous results,” said Brenda Miller, food drive coordinator at the Central Virginia Foodbank. “A 22 percent increase is awesome under any circumstances but given the current economic state, it is truly amazing.”

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.

“These results are incredible. We are honored to have the staff and students of VCU working to help us in the war on food insecurity,” said Rick Holzbach, food resource manager at the Central Virginia Foodbank. ”Keep up the great work.”

Organizers plan to hold a yearly university-wide food drive each spring.