University-Wide Food Drive off to a Strong Start

Three-day drive supports the Central Virginia Food Bank

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VCU’s three-day, university-wide food drive to support the Central Virginia Food Bank and its affiliated Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen programs got off to a strong start this morning.

“We’ve had a great start to this year’s drive,” said Diane Reynolds, director of VCU Business Services.  “People have stopped by to drop off cash and food donations. We even had a GRTC bus driver pull over this morning and make a donation.” 

The food drive continues through Thursday, April 19, at multiple locations on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.

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 more than 50,000 meals.

Peanut butter, canned meats and fish, vegetables and fruits, spaghetti sauce, pasta and rice are especially needed. Volunteers also will collect monetary donations.

One dollar can help feed as many as five people and donations in the form of cash or check will be accepted at all VCU parking decks between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or can be made online at https://feedmore.org/donate/campaign-form/vcu-food-drive.

Monroe Park Campus drop-off sites are operating 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
Laurel Street Parking Deck

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 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day to allow members of the community to participate in the food drive.

This year’s food drive is supported by VCU Business Services, VCU Recreational Sports, VCU Alumni Relations and the VCU Division of Community Engagement.

For more information, contact Kristan Cole at 828-3615 or kmcole@vcu.edu.