VCU Holds University-Wide Food Drive

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 19, 20 and 21 at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.  VCU mascot Rodney Ram will greet food donors between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. at the drop off location at West Broad and Harrison streets on Tuesday and Thursday and at the Eighth Street Parking Deck on the MCV Campus on Wednesday. 

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 in 2009 after hearing about shortages at the Central Virginia Food Bank. The first drive raised enough food and money to feed 22,000 people. Last year’s drive raised enough to feed 30,000 people. This year, organizers hope the drive will feed 35,000 people.

“I don’t think when we were organizing the first drive that anyone thought the economy would be so bad for so long,” Reynolds said. “With unemployment remaining high, the need is still there and by establishing this as a tradition each spring, we are hoping that it helps people remember to donate.”

The Virginia Employment Commission listed the Richmond region’s unemployment rate at 7.4 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.

“Because one dollar can help feed as many as five people, donations in the form of cash or check will be accepted at all VCU parking decks between  7 a.m. and 9 a.m.,” said Reynolds. “The Central Virginia Food Bank also accepts Web-based donations that can be credited to the VCU Food Drive.”

To donate online, visit https://www.cvfb.org/DonorForm/tabid/97/Default.aspx and indicate that the gift should be credited to the VCU Food Drive.

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
Cary Street Gym

MCV Campus drop off locations are as follows:

N Parking Deck
A and I Parking Lots
D Parking Deck
Eighth Street Parking Deck
Main Hospital
Larrick Student Center

A drive-through drop off location has been established along West Broad Street at Harrison Street on the Monroe Park Campus to allow members of the community to participate in the food drive.
For more information, contact Rebecca Jones at 828-3615 or jonesrj@vcu.edu.