VCU Announces Largest Food Drive in University History

By Mike Porter and Gayle Haglund

Virginia Commonwealth University will hold a weeklong, university-wide food drive in honor of President Michael Rao’s inauguration.

The Pound Out Hunger inauguration food drive, aimed at collecting enough peanut butter and tuna to provide protein for 500,000 meals, will be the largest food drive ever held at VCU. The drive will take place on both campuses from Oct. 10 until Oct. 17 and will benefit FeedMore, the umbrella organization for the Central Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia and the Community Kitchen. 

VCU President Michael Rao will tour the FeedMore Headquarters and Warehouse, 1415 Rhoadmiller St., on Friday, Oct. 7, from 1:45 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. and will be available to discuss the food drive with reporters.

The presidential inauguration planning committee selected a food drive as a worthwhile community service project because hunger is an ongoing critical need in the community.

Donations of peanut butter and tuna will be accepted at locations on both campuses. Donors may also consider cash donations, which may be made online at www.feedmore.org/vcu. A $1 donation would count as five pounds toward the goal of 100,000 pounds. Or make a $10 donation by texting FEEDMORE to 85944. Every $10 donation can provide 50 meals through the Food Bank’s distribution center.

For additional details about the food drive, including a list of collection sites, visit http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/VCU_Pound_Out_Hunger_Community_Service_Project_Aims_to_Provide.