Rodney the Ram interacts with a group of people sitting at a picnic table. Tents representing various universities - East Carolina University, Washington and Lee University, University of Michigan, James Madison University, University of Notre Dame, University of Virginia, and the University of Tennessee - are set up in the background.
The VCU Alumni Association will host its annual charity challenge on Sept. 18. (Courtesy photo)

Sept. 13, 2019

Fun-filled challenge pits university alumni for the benefit of Feed More

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By Kristen Caldwell
Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University alumni will compete against alumni from 40 other universities to see who can collect the most canned goods for Feed More at the seventh annual Alumni Charity Challenge.

The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, 2408-2410 Ownby Lane.

“We look forward to the Alumni Charity Challenge every year and are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with VCU Alumni,” said Doug Pick, president and CEO of Feed More. “Now in its seventh year, the Alumni Charity Challenge has collected more than 94 tons of food to help our Central Virginia neighbors in need, which is simply extraordinary! We look forward to this year’s friendly, fun-filled competition and appreciate all the dedication and hard work the 41 colleges and universities participating put into this year’s efforts.” 

Participating schools aim to collect 150,000 pounds of food this year. The VCU Alumni Richmond Chapter started the event in 2013. The family-friendly event, sponsored by Nationwide, 103.7 Play, Virginia Credit Union, Boost Promotional, James H. Loving Photography, Hardywood and Uptown Color, includes food trucks and giveaways.

“It is a great opportunity for alumni groups to come together to fight food insecurity in Central Virginia,” said Joseph Stemmle, a VCU School of Business alumnus and co-chair of the challenge. “Each alumni chapter tries to collect as many cans as possible in three hours, which are then delivered to Feed More the next day.”

In addition to donating canned food, individuals can make monetary donations online to Feed More. For every $1 donated, Feed More can distribute about 5 pounds of food. Online donations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Sept. 18. 

Learn more about the Alumni Charity Challenge at www.alumnicharity.org.