Last week, the University of Lynchburg Food Pantry received $4,000 in Kroger gift cards from the national grocery chain. It’s a welcome donation during these times of uncertainty, said Annette Stadtherr, director of multicultural services at the University.
“We are sincerely thankful for Kroger’s generous donation,” Stadtherr said. “Due to COVID-19, we are at a standstill and our students, undergraduate, and graduate assistants as well, can no longer work. Most hourly staff will not be on campus after this week. And it was just announced that we will shut down for the remainder of the semester.
“Our world is upside down, and our food pantry is a resource to members of our University community now more than ever.”
There are, in fact, three food pantries on campus. The main pantry is located in Drysdale Student Center inside the Flynn Multicultural Center. Smaller pantries are located on College Street and in an old converted telephone booth in the foyer of Hundley Hall.
“Kroger is honored to support University of Lynchburg and the work they are doing to alleviate hunger through campus food pantries with this gift,” said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager for Kroger Mid-Atlantic. “We’re glad to do our part to reach students in need through our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative.”
Zero Hunger | Zero Waste seeks to end hunger in communities around the country. In 2019, Kroger Mid-Atlantic partnered with Virginia Western Community College to set up a food bank for its students. Following the success of the program at VWCC, Kroger began looking for more college food pantries to support.
Lynchburg’s main food pantry in Drysdale, which provides microwavable items, canned vegetables, as well as soups, pasta, rice, and cereal, is now closed. However, the University’s smaller pantry along College Street, located on the sidewalk beside the Spiritual Life Center, will continue to be stocked and available to everyone.
