University of Pittsburgh
Chapter Founded: Spring 2008 Annual Funds Raised: $10,000 Deli Schedule: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays Payment Accepted: Cash, Check, Cash Accounts on University ID Cards Food Safety Training: Registered as a deli by Allegheny County and five certified members. Food Storage: Designated shelf in refrigerator unit in Student Union. Food Service Provider: Sodexo Chapter faced initial opposition to establishing FeelGood as an official student organization given part of the chapter’s purpose is to fund raise for the end of hunger through selling food on campus. This was perceived as a potential competitive threat to Sodexo. With support from the Director of Student Life and the Vice Provost/Dean of Students, FeelGood was able to satisfactorily address the legitimate concerns of Sodexo by presenting the following insights: 1. Students who eat on campus do so with pre-‐paid meal plans, whereas those choosing FeelGood pay with cash, check, or credit. 2. Sodexo has already collected meal plan income through room and board and is not losing any money from students since meal plans cannot be used to purchase a FeelGood sandwich. 3. Most of our customers are older students who do not have meal plans and typically do not purchase Sodexo food. 4. Since we sell an item that Sodexo doesn’t, we are not direct competitors; in fact, FeelGood’s presence may help Sodexo increase sales because of additional foot traffic and the appeal of complementary food items such as a drink drink, side dish, or dessert. Beyond scheduling regular meetings to be proactive, FeelGood updates and honors Sodexo each semester by sharing how much we've raised, reiterating how this money is being invested in sustainable hunger eradication, and sincerely thanking them for all of their support – because without them we would not be an operating chapter!