Liberty University Community Delivers Record-Breaking 8,347-Pound Food Drive

Lynchburg, VA — Liberty University Dining by Sodexo has wrapped up one of its largest and most impactful food drives to date, delivering 8,347 pounds of food to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB) at a time when families across Central Virginia are facing significant financial strain. Running from October 24 through November 18, the campus-wide effort united students, faculty, staff, and operational divisions in a coordinated mission to support neighbors heading into the winter months.

A major driver behind this year’s record total was the Liberty University Maintenance Department, which contributed 5,680 pounds through a spirited internal competition. Maintenance Director Dee Smith initially set a modest target of 500 pounds. Instead, her seven-team challenge ignited an extraordinary response.

Smith divided the department into competing teams, offering lunch to the winners. “Our original goal was 500 pounds, which was one-fourth of the amount requested,” Smith said. “Whichever team brought in the most food won lunch, and the HVAC/boiler team brought in 400 pounds more than any other team.”

The department built a large hand-colored thermometer outside the break room to track progress. “As the colors went up, the team became more motivated,” Smith explained. The inventory crew kept totes in the break room and weighed donations as they arrived, sending daily reports on which team was in the lead. The excitement culminated when the final numbers came in. “We were blown away by the response. The entire team was fully on board with donating.”

For Smith and her staff, the mission was personal. “The 115 people in the Maintenance Department are very family-oriented. They care about others. When the news reported that people were not receiving their SNAP benefits, our team felt bad for those who might be struggling to get food.” She hopes this year’s effort inspires the rest of campus: “I want students and staff to see what a wonderful team the Maintenance Department is and what a great group of people work at Liberty for the love of God and the students. They do what they do to support the mission of training Champions for Christ.”

Sodexo’s Matching Contribution Strengthens the Impact

Because the campus surpassed its goal, Sodexo will match the full donation up to $2,000, pushing the final contribution to just under 9,000 pounds. District Manager Duke Davis said the drive reflects Sodexo’s core commitment to community support.

“Sodexo has always been passionate about leading the food drive on this campus because it reflects our partnership with Liberty University and our commitment to the Lynchburg community,” Davis said. “Times are challenging for many families, and being able to contribute in such a tangible way is meaningful because we know how far these donations go once they reach the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.”

Davis emphasized the importance of Dining taking a leadership role. “We have a direct connection with students. When something matters to us, it creates buy-in and momentum across campus. Students thrive when they can participate in efforts championed by their dining teams.”

This year’s turnout, Davis noted, spoke volumes. “The generosity shown was incredible. Liberty’s students approached this with purpose, grounded in their faith and their desire to serve others.”

A Food Drive That Has Grown Every Year

Much of the coordination fell to Shelby Stidham, Sodexo’s Marketing Manager and a Liberty University alumna who has overseen the drive for the past five years. She said the initiative has expanded dramatically in that time.

“The biggest shift happened when we began partnering with Liberty’s schools and colleges,” Stidham said. “They brought the momentum. Each fall, departments sign up to participate, and we equip them with donation barrels and advertising materials.”

Stidham said this year’s response was overwhelming. “One of our primary drop-off spots filled twice before the drive even ended. Last year it received only a handful of donations.” Personally, she finds the effort deeply meaningful. “As an alumnus, it means a lot to watch my alma mater make a difference. Seeing the final impact each year honestly leaves me speechless.”

Stidham hopes the momentum carries into future years. “Liberty University’s Maintenance Department collected 6,000 pounds on their own. Their effort set the tone, and I hope it motivates the entire campus to match that energy next year.”

A Community Still Recovering

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank emphasizes the urgency of this year’s contribution. According to James Quade, BRAFB’s Branch Operations Manager in Lynchburg, many families are still climbing out of the economic setback caused by the recent 40-day government shutdown and the lapse in SNAP benefits that followed.

“The government being reopened does not magically place those who were affected back into a normal routine,” Quade said. “It will take time for them to recover. This food will help them in that process.”

Before Sodexo’s match, Liberty’s contribution alone supported 6,956 meals.

Across the region, need remains high: one in nine people in the Blue Ridge area is food insecure, and the food bank has seen a 16% increase in demand this year. Large-scale campus drives are essential to sustaining BRAFB’s operations, which move more than 6 million pounds of food annually from the Lynchburg warehouse into local communities.

Quade described the Liberty–Sodexo–BRAFB partnership as one of their most meaningful. The Liberty food drive arrives each year just before Thanksgiving, a period when regular donations tend to dip. “Every donation counts, and this one is very helpful,” he said. “We have such great support from our community and from organizations like yours that make an impact during the holidays.”

Campus Partners Who Made This Possible

This year’s campaign drew participation from academic schools, colleges, and operational units across campus, including:

• Liberty University Maintenance
• School of Aeronautics
• Aviation Maintenance and Flight Operations
• Family and Consumer Sciences Department
• School of Behavioral Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Nursing
• School of Divinity
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Medicine
• Helms School of Government
• Enrollment Management and Marketing
• Jerry Falwell Library
• Residence Life
• CASAS

How the Liberty Community Can Continue Supporting Hunger Relief

The food bank encourages continued involvement from Liberty students, faculty, and staff. Community members can:

• Volunteer to help serve 171,200 people each month
• Advocate for strong hunger-relief policies, including the upcoming Farm Bill
• Raise awareness by sharing stories and starting conversations
• Urge lawmakers to support essential nutrition programs including TEFAP, CSFP, and WIC

BRAFB also offers tools for contacting legislators directly through its advocacy portal.

A Unified Effort With Lasting Impact

With more than four tons of food collected—and nearly nine tons once Sodexo’s match is finalized—Liberty University’s 2024 food drive stands as a clear display of unity, generosity, and shared purpose. The combined efforts of students, staff, faculty, Dining, and Maintenance will provide immediate relief to families navigating an exceptionally difficult year, strengthening a partnership that continues to make a tangible difference across Central Virginia.

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