A student program created to give meals to the
homeless in Richmond by using donated portions of
students’ meal plan swipes has been shut down by
VCU Dining Services, which says the program violates
the non-transferable meal contract.
The meal swipe donation program, “Pledge of a
Meal Swipe,” was created by Psi Chi, an honors society
for psychology students. Charlotte Wincott, co-vice
president of service for Psi Chi, said the program started
its drive this month but was shut down after Psi Chi
met immediate opposition from VCU Dining Services,
which reported the program to the VCU Police.
“We spoke with the (VCU) Dining Services,” Wincott
said. “We are trying to get another avenue because of
the certain sorts of codes with the dining plan.”
VCU Dining Services told the group students could
no longer donate meal swipes because the contract that
students sign when registering for a meal plan clearly
states the meals are “non-transferable,” Wincott said.
In addition, the money from the excess unused meal
swipes goes into a fund that VCU draws from to pay
for campus construction, she said.
“We weren’t really aware of the fact that so much
of the excess meals (and those funds) that are left over
. go into rebuilding VCU,” Wincott said.
Wincott said it is important for students to know
how their funds are spent. Although the university has
many important construction projects, she said, VCU
needs to keep in mind its larger vision.
“VCU’s urban mission is such an integral part of
the university’s commitment to the larger community,”
Wincott said. “While rebuilding the university’s infrastructure
is clearly important, we of course would hope
that we can accomplish outreach missions, as well as
focus on the physical aspects of the campus.”
Wincott said VCU Dining Services has been very
willing to negotiate with Psi Chi to help the homeless
as long as the organization’s proposed program does
not include the use of meal swipes.
VCU Dining Services was contacted by The Commonwealth
Times and was willing to answer questions
about the proposal but was unable to comment as of
press time.
When Aramark, VCU’s food
services company, was approached
with questions, a
representative said VCU currently
has no donation program
for the homeless.
Psi Chi is currently working
with VCU Dining Services
and the dean of student affairs
to petition for money to be
donated to the Central Virginia
Food Bank, which also aids the
homeless in the area.
If approved, this money
would come from excess dining
dollars instead of the meal swipe
funds, and Aramark would
donate the fund to VCU.
“Right now, we are getting
this (proposal) approved. In
order to get it approved, we
need student organizations to
join us,” said Olga Kochurova, a sophomore biology
major involved in planning the program. “This has to
be approved by the dean (of student affairs) . and
once it’s approved, and we get enough people involved,
then they will (hopefully) donate.”
On Tuesday, Psi Chi is hosting its pre-Thanksgiving
event for the homeless. Although students are no
longer allowed to participate by donating their meal
swipes, they are welcome to meet outside Shafer Court
Dining Center with any type of packaged food items,
including bags of chips, canned items or anything
that could be easily transported to a nearby kitchen
for the homeless.
“(Tuesday) we will be taking (the donated food)
to the Salvation Army kitchen on West Grace Street,”
Kochurova said.
At the Salvation Army, the Psi Chi members will
hand the meals directly to the homeless gathered there.
Kochurova said it is a very fulfilling experience, and
Wincott encouraged as many students as possible to
participate. The experience is personally rewarding as
well as helpful, she said.
“The more people that get involved, the better,”
Wincott said. “Just being socially aware (will) .
make you feel good and (help) those who have limited
resources.”
Kochurova also encouraged students to come out
on Tuesday to sign the proposal for the money to be
donated to the food bank.
“We need (as many organizations and individuals
involved) as possible in order to bring forth our
proposal,” Kochurova said. “We are trying to get the
word out so we can get the approval to donate this
money (in the form of vendor products and canned
goods) to the Central Virginia Food Bank.”
The money would go toward the food bank that
has a kitchen for homeless children.
“(The food bank has) a kitchen for homeless children
that they just opened up, and they said they could
use this help right now because it is very costly,”
Kochurova said.
Students also are welcome to donate canned food
at any time at the donation station on the first floor
of Hibbs Hall.