VCU starts community food drive Tuesday

Virginia Commonwealth University will have a food drive starting Tuesday to help support the Central Virginia Foodbank, Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen.

This is the first time individual departments and organizations have collaborated on a universitywide effort, and VCU officials hope for a good turnout.

"We have a lot of contacts and a lot of people who have huge hearts," said Rebecca Jones, marketing and public relations manager for VCU business services.

The drive will run through Thursday on the Monroe Park and medical campuses.

People can drop off peanut butter, canned goods, pasta, rice and other items at several locations around campus, including the Shafer Court dining center, convenience stores, and in any of the major parking decks on both campuses.

Monroe campus drop-off sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MCV campus drop-off sites vary.

There also will be two drive-by locations, at West Broad and Harrison streets and at Cary and Belvidere streets, from 7 to 10 a.m.

With many people losing their jobs and unemployment on the rise, "there's just such a critical need," said Diane Reynolds, director of business services for VCU. She said a $1 donation can feed five people one meal.

"If you've got loose change, just drop it off," Reynolds said. "We will take anything to try to help."

VCU has committed to two annual food drives, this one and another in October, Reynolds said.

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .