Ram Pantry

Contact

University Student Commons 
907 Floyd Avenue, 1st Floor, Room 121
Richmond, VA 23284
offcampus@vcu.edu 
(804) 828-4514

Hours of Operation

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Ram Pantry is closed for operations until further notice.

We encourage all in-need students to access their local food bank and apply for SNAP benefits for additional food. To find information on your local food banks, please visit: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. This site will allow you to enter your zip code, and then it will direct you to additional resources. To enroll for food stamps, please visit: http://www.richmondgov.com/SocialServices/SNAP.aspx. If you would like assistance with either process, please email offcampus@vcu.edu or vcudean@vcu.edu. Students can also schedule a virtual/phone appointment with Off Campus Student Services via https://vcuoffcampus.youcanbook.me.

Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Grants

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has made funding available to colleges and universities to assist eligible students who have been impacted by COVID-19. Students who are not eligible to receive federal funds may be considered for institutional funds. More info can be found here: https://finaid.vcu.edu/manage/covid19funding/?_ga=2.153107711.673019089.1589227627-1566141395.1562243647. 

VCU Student Emergency Fund 

Additionally, students can apply for emergency funds through VCU's Student Emergency Fund. More info can be found here: https://dos.vcu.edu/services/vcu-student-emergency-fund. 

Richmond Mutual Aid Mini-Grants

Richmond Mutual Aid is offering mini-grants to support individuals who are financially impacted by COVID-19. More info can be found here: bit.ly/RVAFunds.

1. Visit the Dean of Students’ office to receive additional resources to assist in times of a crisis.
2. Apply for food stamps here: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi. Virginia-SNAP-Food Stamps is a Virginia State initiated program whose primary goal is to enable low-income families access to a balanced meal. We encourage students to see if they qualify. Please note that you should be working 20 hours a week to receive benefits.
3. Call 2-1-1 to receive directions to the nearest food pantry or visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. For national food aid info, visit https://www.usa.gov/food-help.
4. Visit other local pantries listed below (hours and services may vary during the COVID-19 situation, * indicates the resource has not yet confirmed service is provided during COVID-19).

VCU Dining Services
Check website for open locations, updated weekly
Take out only, check website for varying hours

2nd Presbyterian Church
5 N. 5th Street
Mondays from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., to-go lunch served

St. Peter's Catholic Church
800 E. Grace Street
Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., to-go lunch served

3rd St. Bethel AME Church
614 N. 3rd Street
Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., grab-and-go meals served

Commonwealth Catholic Charities
1512 Willow Lawn Drive
Curbside service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., must have a photo ID & can receive food once monthly (up to 3 times/year)

2nd Baptist Church, West End
1400 Idlewood Ave.
Wednesdays from 11 a.m - 1 p.m., grab and go from the church parking lot (weather may alter operations)

St. Pauls Episcopal Church (Emmaus)
815 E. Grace Street
Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., to-go lunch served

*Oregon Hill Baptist Center
400 S. Pine Street (Oregon Hill)
Thursdays from 10 am- 12 p.m., food pantry

Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Red Door Ministry)
8 N. Laurel St. (by Monroe Park)
Fridays between 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., brown bag/ to-go meals served 

Centenary UMC
411 E. Grace Street
Fridays from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., to-go lunch served

Food Not Bombs
Monroe Park
Sundays at 4 p.m.

What is food insecurity?

Food Insecurity is defined by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or a limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”

For VCU, it is a situation in which a student lacks access to enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life. It can be linked to negative student outcomes in physical and mental health, financial and housing insecurity and educational attainment. Ram Pantry exists to mitigate these negative outcomes.

Our Mission

The mission of Ram Pantry is to ensure food security, human dignity and well-being on campus by providing in-need VCU students with food. To this end, Ram Pantry will collaborate with university and community partners to research and implement innovative approaches to food security and community health. We will do our part to ensure that no student in the VCU community goes hungry and that every student has access to nutritious food.

We have received a number of thoughtful responses from VCU community members offering to assist with Ram Pantry operations, food drives, and donations. We greatly appreciate all of the caring suggestions and share your concerns for the health and well-being of our students. Given the COVID-19 current status and changing situation, we do not have the ability to keep the operation open until further notice.

If individuals would like to donate to Ram Pantry, we encourage them to visit Ram Pantry's Amazon Wish List to purchase food to help us restock the pantry when it reopens. 

Financial donations can be made at support.vcu.edu.

We encourage you to share resources with students about local food banks and SNAP benefits. Students can find information for their local food bank at: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. To enroll for food stamps, students can visit: http://www.richmondgov.com SocialServices/SNAP.aspx.

Students can contact us for assistance with any of these processes at offcampus@vcu.edu or vcudean@vcu.edu.