UVA Dine Hosts Swipe Drive to Support Food Pantry and Fight Food Insecurity

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. UVA Dine hosted a Swipe Drive on Dec. 4, 2025. in collaboration with the UVA Food Pantry. This event, held once each semester, aims to combat food insecurity on Grounds. The Swipe Drive allows students to donate up to two meal swipes; each swipe donated is equivalent to one pound of food.

After the event, UVA Dine works closely with the Food Pantry to identify its most pressing needs. UVA Dine then purchases the equivalent pounds of food and delivers them directly to the pantry. Last year, two Swipe Drives resulted in more than 4,400 pounds of food donated. This semester’s drive on Dec. 4, achieved an impressive 3,470+ pounds of donations.

“This year, our team has been really dedicated to supporting the needs of food insecure students,” said Jordan Murphy, UVA Dine sustainability manager. “We received an impressive number of donated swipes and could not have done it without the full support of our staff and intern team, as well as our partners at the (Cavalier) Food Pantry.”

The Swipe Drive runs for 24 hours, giving students multiple ways to participate. QR codes posted across Grounds, social media posts from UVA Dine and partner organizations, and marketing tables help spread the word. Each student can donate up to two swipes, even those on an All-Access meal plan.

“As Hoos, we take pride in helping each other,” said Jessie Lee, a fourth-year UVA student. “It’s something that is simple and easy to do on my side, yet goes a long way towards helping those who need it.”

UVA students are always excited when the Swipe Drive comes around. They take pride in helping their peers and the local community. All donated food goes directly to students experiencing food insecurity on Grounds, which is estimated to affect one in four students. The Swipe Drive is part of UVA Dine’s ongoing focus to end food insecurity and serve the UVA community.